As deaths from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) approach 300 in Orleans Parish, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced today that the citywide stay-at-home order would be expanded past the original April 30th deadline.
At 3:10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, Christina Watkins of WDSU tweeted that the city’s stay-at-home order has officially been extended through May 15 of this year.
JUST IN: New Orleans’ #StayAtHome order has been EXTENDED another month until May 15. @wdsu
— Christina Watkins (@CWatkinsWDSU) April 15, 2020
According to WDSU, the stay-at-home order will be lifted at 6 a.m. on May 16.
The total deaths in Orleans Parish now totals 287, and the total number of confirmed cases have ballooned to 5,769.
According to the City of New Orleans, citizens are directed to stay home except to perform essential needs. These include efforts to acquire healthcare, food, supplies, or going to work. All public gatherings, bars, health clubs, malls, entertainment venues, and dining establishments will remain closed until May 16.
This news follows a day after Mayor Cantrell stated her opinion that all festivals and large events in the city should be postponed until 2021.
As of this point, neither the State of Louisiana nor any other jurisdictions have weighed in on extending the stay-at-home order, although Governor Edwards has just begun today’s press conference.
Residents can text “COVID” to 888-777 for additional updates from the City of New Orleans.
