New Orleans closing bars and banning to-go drinks during Mardi Gras

[mfcorey1]

CNN) — In a citywide crackdown, New Orleans announced on Friday that it will be ordering the closure of all indoor and outdoor bars and banning to-go drinks starting next Friday through Mardi Gras day on February 16.
During a news conference, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the large crowds seen on Bourbon Street last weekend "unacceptable."
Cantrell referred to the crowds as superspreader events, calling them dangerous and a risk to lives and the progress the city has made in stopping the spread of Covid-19.
In addition to indoor and outdoor bar closures, Cantrell said bars operating as restaurants will also be closed to the public. Packaged liquor sales will be prohibited in the French Quarter and the Central Business District, and all sales of to-go drinks will be banned during this time.
"I think we were all hopeful that we could strike the necessary balance for a safe and fun Mardi Gras, but given these new variants, the recent large crowds in the Quarter and the potential for even larger crowds this weekend and as we move into the weekend of Mardi Gras, it has become very apparent that it is hard to do" Cantrell said.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/new-orleans-closing-bars-mardi-gras-trnd/index.html

[LuvNewcastle]

1. I knew they were going to have trouble with Mardi Gras this year.

Carnival is a very old tradition and it's an important social occasion. Some people only see certain friends and relatives on Mardi Grad every year, so cancelling the holiday is like banning Christmas for people in other places. More people could wear masks, I guess. They could add a piece of cloth to their face mask, but I guess that would get in the way of their drinks. If people would just do social distancing and stay outside, it might not be so dangerous.

[misanthrope]

2. Up the road in Jeff Sessions' town

they are taking the opposite approach and actually promoting gatherings.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215056763

[FakeNoose]

3. For New Orleans, Mardi Gras is their "Black Friday"

That's when a lot their establishments make their profit for the year. It will be hard for them to give it up this year, but aren't we all making sacrifices? Aren't we all trying to make good decisions to keep our loved ones safe and healthy?

I would hope so.

[cbdo2007]

4. Aww, my wife and I had a great time down there once with one of those fish bowls...

filled with alcohol that you get for like $10 and then refills were like $5 and we went through...uh...quite a few. It was an amazing night though.