Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards announced plans to loosen a statewide mask mandate Wednesday, but New Orleans leaders are not easing citywide requirements yet.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell and city health director Dr. Jennifer Avegno will spend the coming days deciding whether to change local mask guidance.
City spokesman Beau Tidwell told reporters Tuesday that any adjustments remain days away. He said the mayor has an obligation to keep people safe as best she can and what that means is following the data and not the date. Since COVID-19 hit Louisiana more than a year ago, New Orleans has maintained stricter mitigation measures than most of the state. Tidwell said that was due to the city’s heavily concentrated population and its status as a tourism hotspot.
