Phase Three (3.1) Overview (10.01.2020)

Today, Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced that New Orleans move in to Phase 3.1 beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday, October 3^rd.

Here’s a look at some of the new rules for the first step of the reopening:

• Bars will be allowed to serve to-go drinks but not allow patrons to be served while staying at the establishment
• In keeping with state guidelines, alcohol sales at bars and restaurants will have to stop at 11 p.m.
• Sales of packaged liquor in the French Quarter and a portion of the Central Business District will be limited to 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. in an effort to prevent gatherings in the French Quarter
• Restaurants will be able to open at 75% indoor seating and 100% outdoor seating
• Packaged liquor sales in the French Quarter and CBD (Mississippi River, the center line of Esplanade Ave., the center line of Rampart St., and the center line of Common St.) limited to the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
• Salons and other businesses will also be allowed to open at 75% indoor capacity
• Outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people will be allowed, twice as many people as are allowed under current rules
• Indoor gatherings will be allowed up to 50 people, twice the current limit
• Masks will still be required when anyone is in public, in accordance with state-wide rules
• Cantrell said the city is working with state officials to get permission to allow breweries in the city to open

If the loosened restrictions do not result in a surge of new cases, officials said further easing could be allowed by Oct. 16^th under Phase 3.2. That would include:

• Allowing bars to serve patrons at outdoor tables
• Increasing the allowed capacity for indoor events

Again, if the loosened restrictions do not result in a surge of new cases Phase 3.3 could be possible as early as Oct. 31^st. That would include:

• Allow bars to serve patrons indoors
• Additional increases in limits on the size of indoor and outdoor gatherings

City officials also announced a variety of initiatives:

• Additional $5,000 grants in partnership with the New Orleans Business Alliance to help bars set up outdoor seating
• Moving forward with a pilot of a program with the Downtown Development District and French Market Corporation to allow businesses to use parking spots nearby for seating. Applications for permits will begin Monday.
• Using French Market Place as a demonstration project for closing streets to use for outdoor dining

Further information can be found here.

The Mayor suggested the hospitality community visit Business Resilience And Community Education which offers best health and safety practices and how to responsibly reopen a business.