NEW ORLEANS — You can still party in New Orleans, but you will need some proof that you are safe.
New Orleans residents and visitors must show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative test in order to visit restaurants, bars and other indoor venues -- including the Superdome -- Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced Thursday.
The citywide mandate will go into effect Monday, and enforcement will begin Aug. 23, The Times-Picayune reported.
BREAKING: Proof of a COVID vaccine or negative test will be required to enter many New Orleans businesses, including bars, restaurants, and the Superdome, sources say.
— NOLA.com (@NOLAnews) August 12, 2021
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“We have to make sure that we keep our businesses open. That is a priority,” Cantrell said at a news conference. ”We have to keep our children in school. This is a priority.
“(The vaccine) is our only way out of this virus.”
The requirement covers anyone currently eligible for the vaccines, the Times-Picayune reported. In addition to eating and drinking establishments and the Saints’ upcoming home preseason games, the rule will be enforced at fitness centers, casinos, strip clubs and race tracks, the newspaper reported.
New York City and San Francisco have announced similar measures, WVUE reported.
Late last month, Cantrell announced that all city employees must be vaccinated and reinstituted an indoor mask mandate, WWL reported.
Cantrell said that the vaccine requirements will help New Orleans avoid another shutdown.
“All options will always be on the table,” Cantrell told reporters. “One of the things that I definitely am not in favor of at this particular time is a shutdown. We can’t take it.”
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