The New Orleans Police Department broke up large crowds of people gathered at two establishments on Magazine Street — Tracey’s and the Bulldog Uptown — on Saturday, the first day New Orleans businesses were allowed to reopen.
The NOPD units were dispatched following eye witness reports to the city’s 311 call line, and disbanded the crowds. No arrests were made, but responding officers issued warnings to the proprietors of both businesses.
During phase one of reopening, businesses are required to cap occupancy at 25 percent, enforce 6-foot social distancing, and require employees and customers to wear masks.
At least one person tweeted about a large gathering at Tracey's, prompting a response from the pub:
“We were not packed at all. Everyone was very respectful of social distancing.”
— Tracey's Bar (@TraceysNola) May 17, 2020
You can read the full exchange here.
Saturday's warnings follow a similar incident on March 14, in which officers were called to break up a St. Patrick’s Day block party in front of Tracey’s despite Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s cancellation of St. Patrick’s Day festivities and ban on large public gatherings.