“We were expecting a little bit lower key than the normal Mardi Gras,” Wheeler said. Gibson had been to Mardi Gras before, and remembered what it was like. Police were told that only people who lived or worked in the area or were staying in hotel could go on Bourbon Street. The scene was a stark contrast to Mardi Gras crowds last year that were later blamed for an early Louisiana outbreak of COVID-19. Parades also were canceled this year in Mobile, Alabama, which boasts the nation's oldest Mardi Gras celebrations.

Source: ABC News February 16, 2021 06:00 UTC