City Agencies, Services and Partners Prepare for
First Week of Phase One of Reopening
NEW ORLEANS — Today, City health, safety and other agencies and partners updated residents on individual and collective efforts for the first week of Phase One of the safe reopening of New Orleans as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic that has claimed nearly 500 lives in the City and more than 2,000 deaths statewide.
Several agency heads briefed the media and provided updates outside City Hall three days after Mayor LaToya Cantrell outlined the parameters of Phase One. Updates came from the Chief Administrative Office, New Orleans Health Department, New Orleans Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, New Orleans Emergency Medical Services, Orleans Parish Communication District, and the New Orleans Recreation Development (NORD) Commission.
[WATCH: City public health and safety officials on Phase One for this week]
Here are updates from several City agencies and partner agencies:
New Orleans Recreation Development (NORD) Commission
NORD will begin reopening its facilities and programming in accordance, under multiple phases. Beginning Saturday, May 16, only outdoor parks, playgrounds, walking paths, trails, outdoor fitness centers, and outdoor tennis courts will open. Hours for all open, outdoor amenities are daylight to dusk. The playspot and passive playground play structures are still closed. A modified baseball and softball season will start in June.
Beginning Saturday, May 16
Open:
- Outdoor playgrounds, parks, walking paths, trails
- Outdoor fitness centers (Joe W. Brown, Lafitte Greenway, St. Roch)
- Outdoor tennis courts
Beginning Monday, May 18
Open:
- Feeding sites at Rec Centers and parks
- Fitness Centers
- Cut-Off
- Milne
- Rosenwald
- Sanchez
- Stallings St. Claude
- Treme
- Mon-Fri, 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Reservations only (to manage 25% capacity)
- Must have a NORD Rec Trac card or account
- Tennis Centers (closed on Fridays)
- Joe W. Brown – Mon-Thur/Sat-Sun 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Atkinson Stern – Mon-Thur/Sat-Sun 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Gert Town Natatorium
- Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Reservations only (to manage 25% capacity)
- Lap swim only
Closed as of now. Will open in a phased approach over the upcoming 14 days, or next phases:
- Rec Centers – gyms, multi-purpose rooms, programs, events
- Indoor pools
- Treme
- Joe W. Brown
- Sanchez
- Outdoor Pools
- Stadiums
- Outdoor Shelters
- Basketball Courts
- Teen Centers
- Programming will remain online until further notice
- Senior, youth and teen programs
- Events
- Rentals
Summer camps – teen career camps, and youth camps
- Begin June 15, 2020-July 24, 2020
- 6 weeks
- Hours of operation, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Parents should visit www.nordc.org for more information
New Orleans Public Library (NOPL)
Libraries will not immediately reopen to the public. Library staff will return to work Monday, May 18, for training and planning sessions related to providing services based on the Phase One requirements for the safety of library users and staff. Since March 16, 92 percent of Library staff have been on Civil Leave, meaning Monday, May 18, will be the first opportunity to finalize plans together, as a library system. NOPL expects to provide finalized Phase One plans next week.
New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA)
Beginning Sunday, May 17, at 3 a.m., RTA will return to Saturday service on all bus and streetcar routes, extend ferry operating hours and reinstate fare collection on all buses, streetcars and ferries. To promote social distancing, speed boarding, and to reduce line queuing, riders are also encouraged to pre-purchase fare via the GoMobile app available in the Apple App or Google Play stores.
Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO)
As the City moves into Phase One of reopening, the health and safety of SWBNO customers and employees is the top priority. While SWBNO lobbies will remain closed for the time being, the agency is still here to serve residents. Here’s how you can reach SWBNO:
- Continue to call 52-WATER (504.529.2837) to report issues, ask questions or pay bills.
- If you call the Customer Service Call Center after hours, leave a voicemail. Employees working remotely will return your call.
- You can also reach us by fax at 504-585-2455 or by email at customerservice@swbno.org.
- To pay your SWBNO bill online, visit https://account.swbno.org/app/login.jsp
- If you would like to pay over the phone, dial 52-WATER, press 2, then press 1 for automated services.
- You can also mail a check or money order to the Cashiers Department at 625 St. Joseph St., New Orleans, LA 70165.
- You can reach the Plumbing Department at 504.585.2160 or planreview@swbno.org.
- House Connections can be reached at 504-585-2164 or by fax at 504-585-2475.
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