NEW ORLEANS - Mayor Latoya Cantrell says New Orleans will not allow bar seating at restaurants starting Saturday.

Along with eliminating bar seating, restaurant seating will be limited overall to 25 people indoors. The announcement is the latest step by the city to combat the surging number of coronavirus cases.

Cantrell says the precautions are being taken so that restaurants won't have to close entirely.

BREAKING: NOLA Mayor Latoya Cantrell says because of rising cases of COVID-19 in New Orleans, bars and restaurants in the city face new restrictions beginning this Saturday at 6am,
Restaurants and bars will have NO seating at the bar. Table service only.

— Keith Esparros (@kesparros) July 8, 2020