NEW ORLEANS - City leaders say the area hit hardest by the coronavirus in Louisiana will look to begin reopening this weekend.

Mayor Latoya Cantrell said New Orleans will begin the process of reopening May 16, with several major restrictions being enforced. 

Among the mandates is a citywide mask requirement for anyone out in public. Restaurants will also be required to take reservations and keep the information of each customer who picks up food for a minimum of 21 days. 

Casinos and video poker parlors will also not be allowed to reopen for the time being, despite the governor's order allowing them to open in other parts of the state this weekend. 

Churches will additionally be required to limit attendance to no more than 100 people or 25-percent capacity, whichever is smaller. Officials also said so-called "super spreader" events like weddings, funerals and conventions will still be restricted.

Cantrell says the New Orleans Police Department will be out enforcing the new requirements. 

The decision to reopen comes as the city has seen a sustained decline in new cases for nearly a month.