Back To Phase One (Modified)

COVID cases are up and reaching a record high statewide, and as a result, the City Of New Orleans will be returning to Phase One (Modified) on Friday, January 8, 2021, at 6AM. We will remain at this level for a least three weeks. This means that there will be reduced indoor capacity to 25% and restricted gatherings of people not from the same household. Tables at restaurants or outdoor seating at bars or breweries will be limited to 6 people and every must be from the same household.

Coronavirus And Phase One

With vaccines coming but our COVID-19 numbers rising, these next few weeks will be a defining moment in the history of our response to this pandemic. That’s why we need everyone in our community to take this change in COVID-19 restrictions very seriously. We are in a precarious situation, one that will not get better unless we have everyone on board. These restrictions are for the short term, but they are in place for a reason. We must work together as a collective force to once again flatten the curve and bring our cases under control. I know we can do this, and I believe in our people to get it done. ~Mayor LaToya Cantrell

The positive test percentage has gone over 5% for the last two weeks and now is over 10% in just one week. Each and every measure we have been watching closely is indicating a major community outbreak in New Orleans,” said Dr. Jennifer Avegno, Director of the New Orleans Health Department. “We need everyone’s cooperation to slow the spread and save lives immediately. If you can work from home, work from home. If you have a playdate, dinner party, sleepover, barbeque, visit to a relative or other gathering scheduled, please cancel it. There is a light at the end of the tunnel with vaccines underway in Louisiana, but vaccines only work for those who are alive to receive them.”

Phase One Modified Rules For Businesses And Operations

City of New Orleans Requirements of All Operations

All non-essential businesses and institutions must register on the Louisiana State Fire Marshal website opensafely.la.gov to receive sector-specific guidelines for reopening and a certificate of Acknowledgement of Registration, which must be posted at all entrances, so it is visible before entering the premises.
All businesses and institutions must prohibit individuals from entering the premises if they have symptoms of illness, must require that all customers, clients, and visitors must wear face coverings while indoors or on the premises, must have unused face coverings in stock to provide customers who do not have face coverings upon entry, and must post signage at all entrances clearly indicating such requirements and prohibitions.
When working inside, open doors and windows to promote air flow to the greatest extent possible and limit the number of people occupying a single indoor space according to industry social distancing guidelines.
When two or more people are occupying a vehicle for work related purposes, they must wear face coverings.
Workers must have easy and frequent access to soap and water or hand sanitizer during the duration of work, and frequent handwashing or hand sanitizing is required including before entering and leaving job sites.
All common spaces and equipment, including bathrooms, frequently touched surfaces and doors, tools and equipment, and vehicles must be cleaned and disinfected at the beginning, middle and end of each shift and, if possible, prior to transfer from one person to another.
Workers must wear face coverings over their nose and mouth when in the presence of others.
In the case of retail cashiers, a translucent shield or “sneeze guard” should also be provided, when applicable (the presence of this shield does not replace the need to wear a face covering).
No congregation of workers is allowed and all common areas, such as break rooms and cafeterias, but excluding restrooms, shall be closed.
If the nature of an employee’s work, or the work area does not allow employees to safely consume meals in the workspace an employer may designate a common area or room where meals may be safely consumed provided the following conditions are met:
Limit occupancy to ensure that social distancing of at least 6 feet between all employees.
Hand washing facilities and/or hand sanitizer shall be immediately available at the entrances of designated common area or room.
Employees shall be required to wipe down the area prior to leaving – or there shall be cleaning of the area at regular intervals throughout the day.
At the entrances of the designated common area or room the employer shall clearly post the policy limiting the occupancy of the space, and the minimum social distancing, hand washing/hand sanitizing and space cleaning requirements.
Workers shall not report to, or be allowed to remain at, a work or job site if sick or symptomatic (with fever higher than 100.4^oF/38.0^oC, cough, and/or shortness of breath, diarrhea, or any other symptom suggestive of COVID-19).
Non-symptomatic COVID-19 positive workers are not allowed on site and any worker(s) who have contact with a worker or any other person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 are required to quarantine for 14 days.
Individuals who have tested positive can be allowed to return to work if they have not had symptoms for at least 3 days and it has been at least 10 days have passed since their symptoms began.
To the extent feasible, prior to the start of each work shift, pre-screening or survey shall be required to verify each employee has no symptoms of illness (fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath), including temperature checks when feasible.
All workers must observe strict social distancing of at least 6 feet while on the job, unless noted, and should refrain from touching their faces.
All food handlers must wear a face covering that covers both the nose and the mouth.
Service and sales of alcoholic beverages, whether for consumption on or off-premises, and including packaged alcohol sales, shall only occur between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. in the French Quarter and Central Business District, which is defined to include all areas bounded by the Mississippi River, the center line of Esplanade Ave., the center line of Rampart St., and the center line of Common St.