-
The City of New Orleans has announced that it has lifted the indoor mask mandate which went into effect two years ago. The city says that you do not have to wear a mask indoors at public facilities. The mandate went into effect Thursday, March 3, 2022.
In 2020, the mask mandate became necessary due to the rapid case increase of New Orleans residents infected with the Omicron variant in the city.
Do I Have To Wear A Mask In New Orleans?
You do not have to wear a mask in New Orleans, however, there are exceptions: Children ages 2 and older on public transportation, and in healthcare facilities and long-term care settings must continue to wear a mask.
What Was New Orleans’ Mask Mandate?
The New Orleans mask mandate said that people who attended indoor or outdoor events of more than 500 individuals were strongly recommended to wear masks, according to the city. The masks were to be worn through the duration of the event. The only exception was when someone is actively eating or drinking.
The mask mandate was a part of the New Orleans COVID restrictions instituted by the Mayor’s Office.
The city remains in a modified Phase 3 protocol, which means the reinstatement of the indoor mask mandate as well as proof of vaccine or negative test required for some activities.
CDC’s independent advisory committee, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, continue to meet about the use of COVID-19 vaccines.
You can expect further recommendations on the use of boosters for the public.
Final Word
New Orleans health officials say that proof of vaccination or negative tests will be required at all indoor social gatherings at establishments like restaurants and bar.
According to the CDC,, the fight against COVID-19 continues. Here is where to get a booster shot in New Orleans.
More From NolaFi.com:
-
The U.S. government has announced that Americans will be able to order free COVID-19 tests from COVIDTests.gov starting on Wednesday, January 19, 2022.
The program is part of a public safety initiative ramped up by the Biden Administration to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is result of a partnership with the U.S. Postal Service.
Here’s How To Get Your Free COVID Tests Mailed To You
According to the White House, here are the details of the COVID test program:
- The tests are free and you don’t have to enter your personal information except for your name and address.
- Orders will typically take between seven and 12 days to ship.
- Your order includes four individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests.
- You get one order per residential address.
Click here to order your free COVID test kits.
U.S. health officials continue to push prevention as the #1 to ward off COVID among all age groups. Remember to wear a masks in public indoor spaces, social distance and wash your hands regularly.
If you’re looking for the booster shot near you, here’s where to get one at.
What COVID phase in New Orleans in?
More Articles:
-
Thinking about visiting New Orleans? If so, you should know the ins and outs of the city’s COVID restrictions.
The pandemic has severely curtailed business as usual in the city. As a result, many of the things you would expect just aren’t there. The city and surrounding municipalities is taking several measures, including opening more COVID testing sites.
This article will tell you the details on New Orleans’ COVID restrictions.
What Are COVID Restrictions For New Orleans?
The COVID Restrictions for New Orleans are as follows:
Because COVID infections continue to rise, New Orleans is expanding the COVID-19 vaccine/testing mandate.
All locations where city residents who are adults are currently required to show proof of vaccine or a negative PCR, molecular, or antigen test within 72 hours will remain the same, and will now apply to children starting January 3, 2021.
- Beginning Monday January 3: For everyone age 5+, the City of New Orleans is requiring proof of one dose of the COVID vaccine, or a negative PCR, molecular, or antigen test within 72 hours at restaurants, bars, and other businesses.
- Beginning Tuesday, February 1: For everyone age 5+, the City of New Orleans is requiring proof of two doses of the COVID vaccine, except for those who have received one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or a negative PCR, molecular, or antigen test within 72 hours at restaurants, bars, and other businesses.
Under the new expansion of the mandate, no exceptions have been made for conventions and large gatherings.
Although there is no mask mandate currently in effect, the use of masks indoors is strongly encouraged at this time.
The information below reflects the guidelines that are currently in effect.
Does New Orleans Have A Mask Mandate?
The City of New Orleans does have a mask mandate, which requires people to wear face coverings in the following settings:
- While passengers and operators of public conveyances, including airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, buses, taxis, ride-shares, and the corresponding transportation hubs.
- In all healthcare facilities, including physician’s offices, hospitals, and long-term care facilities;
- All K-12 educational institutions, unless the institution has adopted an isolation and quarantine policy for students, faculty and staff consistent with the protocols set by the Louisiana Department of Health.
- All individuals over the age of 2 and without breathing complications (i.e. use of oxygen) are strongly encouraged to wear a mask while in public indoor spaces;
- Businesses must comply with all safety requirements as set forth herein. Nothing in these guidelines shall prevent private businesses from requiring masks or social distancing to conduct operations;
- Movement around the City should be limited so as to minimize interaction with large groups; and live entertainment is only allowed following the rules set forth on pages 8-13, in addition to the specific directives below, when applicable.
What Happens If I Lose My Vaccine Card?
If you lose your vaccine card, you may be wondering what you can do. Here are the steps you need to take:
- Contact the location where you were vaccinated and request a replacement card.
- If you are not able to contact your original provider, contact your state’s health department.
- In Louisiana, here’s how to request a replacement copy from the state.
More From NolaFi.com:
-
New Orleans is expected to get a lot of visitors for Mardi Gras and beyond this year. If you’re thinking about traveling to New Orleans, Louisiana, you should know that the city is experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases around the metro area. As a result, the city’s implemented phase status has been raised.
You may be wondering what phase New Orleans is in right now.
The city is in Modified Phase 3. That means that city residents and visitors must abide by the following safety protocols:
- Unvaccinated individuals over the age of 2 should wear a mask in public indoor spaces.
- Masks are mandated for children in K-12 schools, healthcare facilities, and on public transportation.
Where Are The Vaccine Requirements For New Orleans Activities?
For outdoor gatherings, people must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID PCR, molecular, or antigen test result from last 72 hours. This is required for all outdoor events of 500+ people if total attendance is more than 50% of the outdoor venue’s capacity.
For indoor gatherings, New Orleans residents and visitors must have proof of vaccination or negative PCR, molecular, or antigen test to enter inside all indoor gatherings at establishments.
If you plan to go out to eat, sit down in a bar, go to the gym or do other public activities, the city has some vaccination requirements for the following areas:
Indoor Dining
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Breweries, microbreweries, distilleries & micro-distilleries
Indoor Fitness Facilities
- Gyms
- Indoor group fitness centers or individual fitness classes
Indoor Entertainment & Concert Spaces
- Indoor sports complexes, stadiums & arenas
- Concert & music halls
- Event spaces such as hotel ballrooms, event venues & reception halls
- Pool halls, bowling alleys, indoor play centers, arcades, skating rinks, indoor playgrounds & arcades
- Adult live performance venues
- Casinos, racetracks & video poker establishments
- Indoor amusement facilities
Large Outdoor Events
- Outdoor events of more than 500 people if total attendance is more than 50% of the outdoor venue’s capacity.
How Are New Orleans Residents Faring In The Pandemic?
In late October the city was moved to Modified Phase Three, which means the City of New Orleans continues to meet all public health milestones and has fully vaccinated over 75% of all adults with the COVID-19 vaccine.
Phase 3 also means indoor mask mandate in effect. Proof of vaccine or negative test required for some activities.
CDC’s independent advisory committee, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, continue to meet about the use of COVID-19 vaccines.
You can expect further recommendations on the use of boosters for the public.
Final Word
New Orleans residents have been gradually becoming eligible for COVID booster shots, but now the process is wide open.
According to the CDC, a plan that was recently announced calls for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for all Americans. Here is where to get a booster shot in New Orleans.
More From NolaFi.com:
-
knowing what the symptoms are for the omicron variant of COVID-19 can keep you informed about your body. If you’re feeling ill, you should call your doctor and schedule an appointment.
There is a lot of misinformation out there, so for this article, we’ve relied on the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) for guidance.
In large cities like New Orleans and others, the Omicron variant is spreading more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and that’s because it’s more contagious.
What Are The Omicron Symptoms?
While health organizations across the world continue to study the illnesses, Omicron symptoms are based on whether you’re vaccinated or not, according to CDC data. If you’ve had the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines and catch Omicron, you’re likely to experience the following symptoms:
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain
If you’ve had the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you’re like to experience the following symptoms:
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
The CDC is on record as having a clinical preference for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines over the J&J, mainly due to the latter’s less stellar performance against the variants.
Can Vaccinated People Still Get Omicron?
Yes, fully vaccinated people, including those who have gotten a booster shot, can still catch omicron. The CDC calls these “breakthrough infections,” and this has been the case with the Delta variant and will likely be so with others.
With that being said, vaccines continue to be effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death, according to the CDS. The speed at which Omicron is spreading underscores the importance of vaccination and boosters.
What To Do If You Think You Have Omicron
If you’re not feeling well and you suspect that you might have Omicron, the main thing is to not panic. Here are the simple steps you should take, according to the CDC:
Keep Track Of Your Symptoms
It’s very important that you monitor your symptoms so that you can accurately describe what you’re feeling to medical professionals or family members.
Do you have a cough? Does it hurt to breathe? Try to document as much about your experience as you can.
Self Isolate
Keep yourself and others safe by staying at home, except to get medical care.
This is not the time to carry on with business as usual. Don’t go to public places like the supermarket or ride public transportation, including Uber.
Notify Your Close Contacts
If your case has been confirmed, it’s a good idea to reach out to your close contacts and let them know that they may have been exposed.
When To Go To The Doctor
In many cases, COVID can be managed at home with proper rest, ample fluids and helpful vitamins and nutrients. When you’re starting to feel severely sick, you should go to your local clinic or hospital, especially if you experience any of the following:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin ton
Final Word
Like all the variants, even if you are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms, you can still spread omicron to others, so it’s imperative that you continue to:
- Wear a mask.
- Social distance.
- Wash your hands.
Continue to stay safe indoors as well as outdoors. Nurture your mental and emotional health as well.
More From NolaFi.com:
-
COVID cases continue to climb in Louisiana as a sizeable portion of state residents have abstained from getting the vaccine. A new program hopes to change that.
Health officials have repeatedly said that mass vaccinations are a key component of mitigating the COVID pandemic, which has raged since March 2020.
To promote getting the shot, Gov. John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana Department of Health announced Shot For 100, a new vaccine incentive program.
How Does The Shot for 100 Program Work?
Here’s how Shot for 100 works: The state that will give $100 to the first 75,000 college students who get their COVID-19 vaccine at participating colleges and universities. The program is aimed at younger Louisianians who have shunned the vaccine so far.
Statistics show that those aged 18-29 are one of the two least vaccinated age groups in Louisiana. Those age groups are also responsible for the brunt of new cases statewide.
“With the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant and its devastating impact on our communities including younger populations, we are seeing more young people go sleeves up. And that’s good. More than anything, students want an in-person college experience. But to do that safely, we need more shots in arms,” said Gov. Edwards. “It’s in everyone’s interest that our young people get the COVID vaccine – to protect themselves, their families and friends, and their larger communities.”
“COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to surge statewide, and that includes young people. Louisianans are getting it, they are feeling the urgency as you can see in our increasing vaccination rate,” said Dr. Joseph Kanter, State Health Officer. “We hope this fun vaccine perk nudges more young people to get the vaccine now rather than later and keep up the momentum we need to put this pandemic behind us.”
All institutions of higher education will be eligible to participate, including universities, community and technical colleges, and private institutions.
LDH is working closely with the Louisiana Board of Regents, and they are communicating to colleges and universities that this new reward program is available to them.
