Governor Extends Louisiana’s Guidelines for Bars Through November 6

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• Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has extended his current phase 3 executive order until at least November 6. Those guidelines allow parishes that report a five percent or lower positivity rate for two weeks straight to opt in to opening bars. Bars in those parishes can open at 25 percent capacity for a total of no more than 50 people, all seated for table service, and for a maximum of 50 customers in outdoor spaces, also be seated for table service. In New Orleans, bars are still only allowed to offer curbside service.
• Gov. Edwards also said this week that alcohol sales can resume in Louisiana stadiums, in parishes that also meet the criteria to reopen bars. Edwards said that alcohol sales at stadiums, arenas and other sports complexes “will be limited to fans buying alcohol and returning to their seats to drink it and will require event managers to continue with their strong COVID mitigation measures.” Twenty of Louisiana’s 64 parishes currently meet the governor’s criteria.
• St. Tammany Parish is the latest nearby parish to meet the governor’s criteria for opening bars, Parish President Mike Cooper announced Wednesday. St. Tammany joins Jefferson, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and Plaquemines in “opting in” to reopen bars at 25 percent.
• The city’s FEMA-backed COVID 19 Meal Assistance Program has been extended for the third time, until November 1st. The program delivers two free meals a day prepared by local restaurants to those in need, but not currently receiving help from the government. Visit http://nola311.org/mealassist or call 311 to sign up.
• Nina Compton’s acclaimed Bywater American Bistro is adding two weekly specials — a Sunday Roast “evening of elevated classic comfort fare” and a Thursday night date night. The former is priced at $65 for two, family style, and the latter is a three course pre-fixe dinner for two and welcome cocktail priced at $70 (both excluding tax and gratuity).

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