Day 1 of new vaccine mandate and Nola businesses are already feeling the impact

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Children ages five and up must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to eat inside. The expanded mandate went into effect on Mon. Jan. 3, and it’s already impacting businesses.

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“Sometimes people call but most of the time people just come in and if they’re not vaccinated, then we ask to see proof, then they leave,” said Conrad Chura, owner of Wakin’ Bakin’ restaurant in the French Quarter.

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“It is kind of hard,” he said. “We just had some people come in from Kansas. It’s different rules. It’s different rules in the city of New Orleans than everywhere else, and people don’t quite understand that, and they’re caught off guard and there’s not much they can do but go to Metairie.”

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City leaders said the mandate is just one way to increase vaccinations.

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“Pediatric vaccination rates need to catch up to adults,” health director Dr. Jennifer Avegno said.

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“At this point in the game, people who want to get vaccinated, they are going to. If they are choosing to get their children [vaccinated], then they’re gonna choose that too,” said Chura. “And if they’re not, then they’re just going to go somewhere else to eat.”

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