City Adjusts Gathering Size and Capacity Limits Under Modified Phase III Guidelines (4.1.2021)

The City of New Orleans announced modifications to the Phase III guidelines in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

[READ: Modified Phase III guidelines and restrictions] 

Effective April 2, 2021 all indoor public and private gatherings shall be limited to 150 individuals and outdoor public and private gatherings shall be limited to 250 individuals. Also, Outdoor Recreation Spaces and Sports Complexes will be allowed to open at up to 50% of standing capacity. Indoor Recreation Spaces and Sports Complexes will be allowed to open at up to 25% of standing capacity. Any events taking place in recreation spaces or sports complexes that are not athletic competitions, must obtain a special event permit.

The modifications come as the City continues to see improvements in several categories used to track the COVID-19 spread. As of today the case counts, transmission rate and positivity rate have all been in a decline for more than eight weeks. Average case counts are below 50 cases per day, the positivity rate is under 1%, and the transmission rate is well below 1.0. However, concerns remain, especially considering the reversal of trends in several states, as well as the spread of stronger variants that are being detected in several cities in Louisiana.

No additional changes to the New Orleans guidelines are being made at this time.