State Requires Orleans Parish Bars & Breweries to Close Indoor Operations

The City of New Orleans today announced that bars, breweries and adult live entertainment venues in Orleans Parish must close indoor facilities effective at 11 p.m. this evening, as required by the State of Louisiana emergency order. In addition, the State order forbids alcohol sales at indoor sporting events.

The Louisiana Department of Health has reported the weekly COVID-19 positive case rate to be 5.5% for Orleans Parish, marking the second consecutive week test positivity has been above 5%. Per the State’s guidelines, bars, breweries and indoor sporting events must cease indoor alcohol service and sales in parishes whose positive case rate exceeds 5% two weeks in a row. That rule will go into effect at 11 p.m., when bars are required to close for nightly hours.

Orleans Parish bars and breweries will be allowed to continue alcohol sales through drive thru, takeout, and curbside pickup. Outdoor seating will also be allowed for up to 50 individuals with tables socially distanced. Bars and breweries will continue to be required to close nightly at 11 p.m.

The City of New Orleans has updated its Modified Phase Two guidelines to reflect the necessary State changes triggered by the increasing positive case rate.

Residents are encouraged to exercise extreme caution while celebrating the New Year as COVID-19 continues to spread at a dangerous rate in New Orleans.