New Orleans Extends Restaurant Dining Room Closures Until Mid May

The office of Mayor LaToya Cantrell extended New Orleans’s stay-at-home order through May 16, continuing the closure of all nonessential businesses. Under the orders, food service and restaurants, grocery stores, liquor stores, and agricultural businesses are considered “essential services” and allowed to remain open. Restaurants are allowed to operate for takeout and delivery services, and breweries and wine shops that hold a retail license can sell alcohol to-go.

Cantrell issued the initial mandate for New Orleans on March 15, which was followed the next day by Gov. John Bel Edwards’ office closing all Louisiana casinos, bars, movie theaters, and restaurant dining rooms through at least April 13 (since extended to April 30). The Mayor’s office noted that the order can be lifted at any time should circumstances change.

On Tuesday, Cantrell held a press conference urging residents to continue social distancing and “stay the course,” and announced her recommendation to cancel all large events and festivals for the remainder of 2020. She added that it was too soon to discuss an executive order that would do so.

Essence Festival, the massive “cultural, entertainment, and empowerment experience” held every summer in the city, canceled for 2020 on Wednesday morning.

Eater is tracking the impact of the novel coronavirus on the city’s restaurant industry. Have a story to share? Reach out at nola@eater.com.

• New Orleans stay-at-home order will now be in place until May 16 due to COVID-19 [WDSU]
• Louisiana Closes Bars and Limits Restaurants to Takeout for at Least a Month [ENOLA]
• New Orleans Mayor Cantrell recommends no festivals for 2020 due to coronavirus [NOLA.COM]
• 2020 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture Officially Canceled Due To COVID-19 [ESSENCE]