New Orleans events proceed despite COVID surge

New Orleans (US), Jan 4 (AP): Costumed revellers will mark the beginning of New Orleans' annual Carnival season this week with a ride on a historic streetcar — carrying out a cherished tradition despite recent surges in COVID-19 infection.

New Orleans events proceed despite COVID surge

New Orleans (US), Jan 4 (AP): Costumed revellers will mark the beginning of New Orleans' annual Carnival season this week with a ride on a historic streetcar — carrying out a cherished tradition despite recent surges in COVID-19 infections.

A Monday announcement from the Phunny Phorty Phellows organisation says participants “will be wearing masks covering their mouths as well as their eyes” when their streetcar rumbles down the tracks on Thursday night.

Carnival season begins each year on Jan 6, the 12th night after Christmas. It ends with nearly two weeks of opulent parades that culminate on Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, which falls on March 1 this year.

Festivities, including major parades that bring thousands to the streets, were largely cancelled in 2021.

There had been concerns that the 2020 Mardi Gras celebration had been an unintended “super spreader” of coronavirus in the early days of the pandemic.

This year, city officials are moving ahead with plans for major parades in February, with precautions including vaccine or testing requirements for float riders and customers of bars, restaurants and other public places.

Louisiana's governor said last week that the state is setting records for new COVID-19 diagnoses, and the omicron variant surge is just beginning. (AP) SCY SCY

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