NOLA Residents Told to Be Home By 9pm

It's not a curfew, but New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson is asking residents to be at home by 9PM. He's not telling officers to go out and arrest people for violating this measure, but they will do so if large groups are gathering. He tells WWL the city is at a “crucial point” in trying to stop the spread of the disease.

“What we have working against us is we’ve had beautiful days,” he said, acknowledging weather that has lured many people outdoors during a stay-at-home order.

Residents can still go outside to jog, ride bikes and walk a dog, but this is not the time to gather and chat with your neighbors.

He is also asking folks not to get together to play sports. He says this is just not the time for that.

“The New Orleans culture is working against us,” Ferguson said. “We are huggers, we are embracers, we are hand-shakers. We share food, drink spirits with one another, with our neighbors, with our family. But now is not the time to do so.

“Those activities that we love so much are dangerous and pose a serious threat to our community, a serious threat to our health,” he said.

Ferguson says this is not a curfew, but that is being considered. He simply says there is no reason to be out after 9pm since all businesses must be closed by that time.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell talked about the crisis in New Orleans with the ladies of "The View".