Mardi Gras isn’t canceled but transformed for 2021
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted nearly every large public event for 2020 and it will be impacting the upcoming 2021 Mardi Gras celebration. The mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, revealed the hometown of Mardi Gras will be making some changes for the 2021 festivities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent large groups of crowds from forming.
Mayor Cantrell says that Mardi Gras is “not canceled, just different” with the changes reflected on the official Mardi Gras website. As Mardi Gras is an official religious holiday in the city of New Orleans and cannot be officially canceled. One of the biggest changes to the holiday celebrated since 1699 including time-honored parades.
BREAKING NEWS: "Parades of any kind will not be permitted this year because large gatherings have proven to be super spreader events of the COVID-19 virus." https://t.co/mOdvulPqdX
— wdsu (@wdsu) November 17, 2020
The city of New Orleans will not be permitting any parades to avoid promoting large crowds of people gathering during a nationwide COVID-19 pandemic. Parades aren’t the only Mardi Gras related activities to change in 2021.
According to the official website, Mardi Gras Krewes will be holding invitation-only Balls following strict COVID-19 guidelines and events will not be open to the general public. There will also be health guidelines for the popular Mardi Gras destinations including Bourbon Street and Frenchman Street entertainment.
Both Frenchman Street and Bourbon Street will be open for visitors that are subject to following Local and State COVID-19 guidelines at all times including wearing masks as well as social distancing. People planning personal house parties will also be expected to adhere to recommended COVID-19 health guidelines.
The city of New Orleans offers the One Stop website for people seeking a Special Events Application to host a personal house party along with guidelines to follow for guests and hosts.
