KEY TAKEAWAYS: New Orleans City Council approved an ordinance updating Carnival regulations to improve safety and parade operations. Float riders must wear safety harnesses and keep both feet on floats during parades. The ordinance creates new approval requirements for parade throws and prohib its smoking, glass containers and alcohol dispensing from floats. Violations involving prohibited ladders, tents, grills and similar parade-route obstructions are now misdemeanor criminal offenses.   The New Orleans City Council has approved an ordinance updating the city’s Carnival regulations, adopting new safety requirements for float riders, tightening restrictions on parade throws and strengthening enforcement of public safety rules. The council adopted Ordinance No. 35,491, as amended, which revises sections of Chapter 34 of the City Code governing Carnival operations. City officials said the changes are intended to improve parade safety, streamline operations and enhance enforcement during Carnival season. Among the new requirements, all float riders must wear safety harnesses and keep both feet on the float while participating in parades. The ordinance also establishes new limits and approval requirements for parade throws. The measure permits approved branded food items and certain small personal items to be distributed from floats while prohibiting smoking, glass containers and the dispensing of alcohol from floats. The ordinance also updates operating rules for marching bands, support vehicles and car clubs in an effort to reduce parade delays and improve the overall flow of Carnival processions. In addition, the council approved stronger penalties for violations of certain public safety provisions. Under the ordinance, the use of prohibited ladders, tents, grills and similar obstructions along parade routes will be treated as misdemeanor criminal offenses. City officials said the changes are designed to enhance public safety while maintaining the efficiency of New Orleans’ Carnival celebrations, one of the city’s largest annual tourism and economic drivers. The updated regulations will govern future Carnival parades within the city. ...read more read less