Mayor LaToya Cantrell put New Orleans on notice Tuesday that the festivals and major events postponed by the coronavirus outbreak may not be happening this year at all.

In a press conference at City Hall to update residents on the city’s coronavirus response, Cantrell said she was recommending that the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and other large events be put on hold for the rest of 2020, a move that would keep potential visitors from igniting a new COVID-19 outbreak even if it choked off the city’s tourism-focused economy for several more months.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell holds a press conference at City Hall after the number of deaths statewide reaches 1,000 due to the coronavirus outbreak in New Orleans, Tuesday, April 14, 2020. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER ▲

Her staff later said it was too soon to discuss the possibility of an executive order to that effect, but said that Cantrell has been in touch with some festival organizers about her wishes.

"My opinion is all of that should be pushed back, period," Cantrell said. "Absolutely no large events as it relates to the year of 2020."

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The recommendation, if enacted, would mean the cancellation of this year’s Jazz Fest, which was postponed until the fall, as well as the Essence Festival of Culture, the French Quarter Festival and a host of other events that together bring millions of tourists to the city and have either been postponed or were still planned for later this year.

When calling for the festival cancellations, Cantrell said she worried not just about New Orleans' progress in "flattening the curve" and reducing the number of cases — and deaths — from the pandemic, but about the progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in other states that might have residents who travel to New Orleans for those events.

Wyclef Jean performs during Essence Festival at the Super Dome in New Orleans, La., July 7, 2019. Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee ▲

While New Orleans saw some of the fastest growth in coronavirus cases in the U.S. in recent weeks, Louisiana was also among the earliest states to shutter schools and close non-essential businesses in order to slow the spread. Some nearby states have taken longer to enact those restrictions, raising concerns that lifting restrictions in Louisiana could invite reinfection from other areas that experience outbreaks later.

Cantrell’s comments come as city officials have repeatedly urged residents to stay home except to go to essential jobs, buy groceries and get exercise. They also come as New Orleans has weathered national media criticism for proceeding with Mardi Gras, despite the lack of warnings at the time from federal health officials and the many other large gatherings that were still occurring across the U.S. during that period.

One graphic's evolution in 75 days of tracking COVID-19 in Louisiana BY DAN SWENSON | Graphics Editor ▲

As of Tuesday, 21,518 people had tested positive for COVID-19 in Louisiana, while the death toll reached 1,013 victims, according to state health officials.

In New Orleans, 32 more deaths were recorded in what Cantrell and city Health Department Director Jennifer Avegno said was a sobering reminder of the necessity of flattening the curve, even if it means cancelling popular events that draw large crowds.

“This is wartime; this is a battle,” Avegno said. “When you march into battle you have to give it everything...I would ask everybody, when you are thinking about going to that social, or having that gathering, is it worth it for a 5% chance of having your loved ones die?”

The mayor’s staff said her recommendation on events extends even to smaller gatherings on the city’s festival circuit, like the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival, which planned to finalize its date this month.

Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Collin Arnold holds a new lawn sign NOLA Ready will offer to New Orleanians during a press conference at City Hall after the number of deaths statewide reaches 1,000 due to the coronavirus outbreak in New Orleans, Tuesday, April 14, 2020. STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER ▲

But Cantrell stopped short of saying whether her recommendation would apply to New Orleans Saints games and the 76,000-odd fans that pack into the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for every home game.

Cantrell said that the NFL as a whole is struggling with those decisions.

Saints fans gather at Champion Square outside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. The Saints face the Falcons for the 100th matchup. STAFF PHOTO BY MAX BECHERER ▲

"I don't know what that's going to look like," Cantrell said, noting that she hadn't discussed the Saints season with the NFL or with Saints owner Gayle Benson.

"Those who are in the right position to have those types of conversations, they are having them. And I believe they will end up in the right place," Cantrell said. "But at the end of the day, we have to be realistic. And I think the data should drive what we're able to do."

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Saints' senior vice president of communications Greg Bensel said that the organization has been working with state and local officials as well as health officials as they plan for the upcoming season.

“We are preparing to play and we are being very proactive in working with healthcare professionals, our medical staff and both the NBA and NFL," said Bensel. "We are in constant contact with local and state government. When we return this season, our highest priority will be the health and safety of our fans, staff, players and coaches."

New Orleans Saints fan Larry Rolling, with sign and other fans, celebrate the 34-31 win over the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La. Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD ▲

Festival organizers did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday. In a prepared statement, Mark Romig, Chief Marketing Officer of New Orleans & Co., which promotes tourism in the city, said that the city's tourism industry would be guided by the advice of health experts and government officials.

"We all know how important our festivals are to our economy and, most importantly, we know that must follow the guidelines that federal, state and city health experts and leadership recommend to safeguard our health," Romig said. "We will get back to hosting festivals just as soon as it is prudent to do so."

A Rolling Stones flag flies under a New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival flag at the Acura Stage during Widespread Panic's performance at the Fair Grounds on Thursday, May 2, 2019, the day the Rolling Stones were originally scheduled to perform at Jazz Fest. PHOTO BY KEITH SPERA ▲

Cantrell's press conference followed an Easter weekend that saw the normal holiday festivities sharply curtailed. Still, the city received several reports of people being out and about.

While the growth in coronavirus cases have slowed in recent days, Cantrell cautioned that hopeful signs aren't a reason to let up on the measures city and state leaders have put in place.

“This is the time that we really need to double down and strengthen our efforts, and understand that everyone plays a part in this,” she said.

Staff writers Katelyn Umholtz and Amie Just contributed to this report.