Mayor LaToya Cantrell made the announcement Tuesday during an interview with WBOK radio in New Orleans. She plans to discuss phase two at a news conference at 4:30PM. Announces New Orleans will move into Phase 2 on Saturday, June 13th. [Source: WDSU]
From the Mayors Twitter @mayorcantrell

Phase Two Overview

• Phase Two will ease restrictions on medium risk operations, while continuing limits on occupancy, social distancing measures, and requirements for personal protective equipment. Sector-specific guidelines will be in place to ensure safe operations.
• Large gatherings will continue to be prohibited due to the significant risk of rapid spread through groups.
  • Gatherings are limited to 100 people with one safety control officer provided per 50 people per Louisiana Fire Marshal guidelines, even in outdoor parks and spaces.
• High-risk residents, like seniors & people w/ serious medical conditions should continue to stay home.
• Indoor live entertainment is not allowed.
• Outdoor live entertainment is only allowed with a special event permit.
• It will be another 21 days at least to see how Phase Two has impacted the community.
• The LDH has partnered with our health providers to have teams go into nursing home communities.

BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS

• All non-essential businesses and institutions must register on the Louisiana Fire Marshal website http://opensafely.la.gov to receive sector-specific guidelines for reopening and a certificate of Acknowledgement of Registration, which must be posted.
• All businesses & institutions must prohibit individuals from entering the premises if they have symptoms of illness, must require that all customers, clients, & visitors must wear face coverings while indoors or on the premises.
  • Anyone can report a business to 3-1-1.
    • It triggers enforcement. Employees and customers alike, please call.
    • Wearing a mask is mandated for the safety of our City. We will hold them accountable.

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Follow LIVE on https://twitter.com/mayorcantrell or LISTEN LIVE on WBOK 1230
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Additional Information from the 4:30 Press Conference

• New Orleans is on a different timeline because it was a hot spot in America.
• New Orleans has consistently flattened its curve at a rate of 97% and growing.
• Cases are decreasing significantly.

Milestones:

• Hospitals have capacity
• A steady decline in new cases.
• Fewer positive cases allow the ability to test, trace, isolate.
• Upwards of 700 tests per day.

Phase 2

• Everyone should wear face coverings.
• It is mandated in the City of New Orleans.
• Meeting all state requirements - Operations opening at 50% capacity with social distancing.
• Bars allowed to open at 25% with social distancing.
• Indoor live entertainment, festivals, amusement parks, concert halls, remain closed.
• City Hall will ease into physical restrictions and will open to the public ad a limited capacity.
• Houses of Worship can open at 50% capacity but with a cap of 250 people total.
• Gaming establishments can open at 25% capacity (includes Harrah's and the Fairgrounds).
• The Interior of malls is open at 50% with social distancing.

Why is New Orleans taking a Slow and Steady Approach

• From the peak in cases (beginning of April) the number of cases New Orleans is seeing per day has decreased by 97%. New Orleans is a leader for cases going down and staying down.
• Over 7,000+ New Orleanians have tested positive and there have been over 500 deaths.
• Only Rhode Island and Iceland have tested a larger percentage of their people.
• New Orleans continues to meet all the criteria to move from Phase 1 to Phase 2. COVID-19 has not gone it is still here and will continue to be here for some time.
• We know the majority of the outbreaks come from high risk /super spreader events.
  • Large groups of people not wearing masks not social distancing. Touching each other or signing or doing activities like that.
• Risk fo COVID can be measured in:
  • More time you in close contact with someone or a group of people
  • The closer you are your risk increases.
  • The more people you are with raises your risk.
  • Indoor activities raise your risk.
• Fundamental truths:
  • Evidence comes out every day supporting that wearing masks saves lives and reduces transmission.
  • WAshing hands, cleanings surfaces, maintaining good sanitation and hygiene. Not touching your face.
  • maintaining a physical distance.
• Want to protect those who are the most vulnerable. The elderly and those with high-risk medical conditions.
• Difference between large groups that are easier to control and those that are not.
  • Movies and church service both have a start and end times. You will it down not interact much with others and then leave at a specified time. So the largest risk is entering and leaving, but the majority of the time you are with your household.
• If we start slow and see good results we know we can move forward. Right now in other parts of the state, they are seeing a rise, but what do you do? Do you go back? What happens? We want to make sure we are not in that position and contact tracing and taking it slow will allow us to do that.
• Allowed gathering size is larger than many cities and states (Mississippi, Vegas, and others). New Orleans feels comfortable that they can do this because they have not only plateaued but created a valley.
• Need 3 weeks of data before making a decision. Need to increase testing focus on nursing homes and homeless shelters. Test every hospital / essential worker and hospitality worker who is returning to work.
• In discussions with NORD to see how to progress with schooling.
• If hotspots appear they will move testing to that area.

Emergency Operations Center

• continues to be activated to support the New Orleans COVID-19 projects such as mobile testing sites, logistics operations, mask dispersal, and more.
• Pivot this weekend for Tropical Storm Cristobal.
• This is going to be a long hurricane season, stat hurricane aware.

Q&A

Protests and COVID-19

• As it relates to following the protests, we are not only supporting the protests but understanding that we have to make a way for people to do what they rightfully can do, utilize their voice. We have been very encouraging and supportive of the protestors who are wearing face coverings and are truly trying to practice social distancing. We have not let the protests prevent us from moving to Phase 2 because:
  • We know we have enough testing and are increasing testing to cover the protesters.
  • We are asking the protesters to get tested.
  • We are not setting. up a testing site for them but they can go get tests just like everyone else.
  • IF they are sick they need to stay home.
  • The use of tear gas as a deterrent has been part of the NOPD policy however, Cantrell is always willing to review policy and come up with better solutions to address protests that cross the line/ where there are disturbances by choice. To makes sure everyone protestors, people, and police officers can be protected. Right now it is part of the policy but it not our desire to ever use force at all.

Clearly we did see protesting happening as a push to reopen the economy. But as we think about the protests that are happening now we embrace it as a public health issue. Meaning people are protesting being racism, poverty, discrimination, and oppression is a direct threat to everyone's public health. So in that regard, we deem it as essential. At the same time, we are encouraging and asking our protests to do it in a way that's absolutely peaceful and protected from CVOID-19 so everyone is safe.
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Dr Avengo...
We have talked a lot about essential and non-essential activities throughout the pandemic. weeks ago there were peaceful protests against the lockdown weeks ago there were concerns then there are concerns now. Using one's right to use their 1st amendment to voice concerns about the systemic racism that kills large numbers of people in our city and the country. that alone is something we encourage people to talk out about we just encourage they do it safely.
Cantrell
Are you concerned about the opening of the bars?
Yes, but. we are allowing the freedom for them to open up but we are asking them to follow the guidelines and for patrons to anonymously report via 3-1-1. If there are violations we will enforce the rules and penalties. We are looking at ways to allow Bourbon St to open up with seating at bars similar to restaurants. Trying to be as creative as possible that allows businesses to operate in a fashion.
Soccer when will it be back?
The state fire marshal does have guidance on outdoor sports. There are some that are clearly now allowed (full contact) like football basketball while others like running, tennis, and golf are allowed. Not sure where soccer falls in on that scale.
What were your top concerns that you saw shutting down businesses during Phase 1?
As t relates to Phase 1 we had a total of 144 businesses that had to be responded to over code enforcement with 3+ that we had to shut down.Hopeful that people will follow the rules.
How will the NOPD be held accountable for the use of rubber balls? Will there be swift action?
After the investigation, we did come to realize that officers used rubber balls without authorizations but there will be accountability. Swift action yes.
[I need to take a phone call and will not be able to finish the rest of the conference]
Where to watch: Press conference later at https://www.facebook.com/watch/mayorcantrell