Big Easy eases back in: New Orleans streets are eerily empty as restaurants, bars and other businesses reopen but residents and tourists remain fearful of coronavirus(14 Pics)

The streets of New Orleans were eerily quiet over the weekend as lockdown restrictions were rolled back and many businesses were finally allowed to reopen their doors - a sign that most residents and tourists remain fearful of catching coronavirus.  

New Orleans began Phase 1 of its four-stage reopening plan on Saturday - marking the end of a two-month stay-at-home order that saw one of America's most legendary party cities empty out. 

Most non-essential businesses were allowed to welcome customers and restaurants and food-serving bars could seat diners at 25 percent capacity. 

But photos taken in the city's most popular locales showed how hesitant the public is about returning to normal life given the ongoing threat from coronavirus, which has infected 6,809 people and killed 495 in Orleans Parish to date. 

In the French Quarter, which would typically be packed with the weekend's pleasant weather - partly cloudy with temperatures in the 80s - small groups of threes and fours were seen milling about and chatting outside eateries along Bourbon Street. 

Inside restaurants and bars, masked servers tended to limited customers spread out several tables or barstools apart. 

Between those establishments, three of Bourbon Street's biggest hotels remained shuttered without tourists to fill their hundreds of rooms. 

Analysts say the drastic decline in traffic will be the 'new normal' in post-coronavirus New Orleans as concerns mount over how businesses in the tourist-dependent city will survive. 

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The streets of New Orleans were eerily quiet over the weekend as lockdown restrictions were rolled back and many businesses were finally allowed to reopen their doors - a sign that most residents and tourists remain fearful of catching coronavirus. Pictured: A masked man walks past Pere Antoine Restaurant in the usually-bustling French Quarter on Saturday

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New Orleans began Phase 1 of its four-part reopening plan Saturday - marking the end of a two-month stay-home order that saw one of America's most legendary party cities empty out

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Friends social distance as they enjoy drinks in an empty street in the French Quarter

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A masked man stands behind the counter at Dixieland Factory Outlet on Saturday. The gift shop and others like it saw little traffic as New Orleans moved to reopen 

Mariah Castille and Tyler Labiche saw the muted reopening first-hand, having trekked down from their home two hours west in Lafayette for a weekend getaway. 

As they sat on a coveted balcony table overlooking Bourbon Street on Saturday night, they were stunned by how few people were out and about.  

'We thought the first day back, this place would be packed,' Labiche told The Washington Post. 'It's one of the biggest party places on the planet.' 

'It feels like a ghost town,' Castille added. 'Like we're not supposed to be here.' 

The pair said they had mixed feelings about the strange stillness in the French Quarter.  

'It's nice to know that people are being cautious,' Labiche said. 'But it's still a little terrifying to see nobody coming out and spending money to keep the economy going.' 

Several restaurant owners said they didn't come anywhere close to 25 percent capacity on their first day reopened. 

Outside one seafood restaurant, an employee repeated a fruitless call to passersby: 'Free appetizer or free cocktail with the purchase of an entree!'

At one point, a group of six or so young women rode their bikes down Bourbon Street carrying glow sticks, their laughter breaking up the quiet night air.  

'For a minute, it sounds like New Orleans,' the employee said. At that moment, only three of the restaurant's 147 seats were filled. 

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Several restaurants stationed employees outside to entice passersby on the quiet Saturday

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An man looks into Pere Antoine restaurant, which saw few customers on opening day

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Some restaurant and bar owners opted to remain closed to dine-in customers due to safety and financial concerns. Pictured: An employee at Turtle Bay takes down a to-go order

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The windows at Willie's Chicken Shack remained boarded up on Saturday 

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Several restaurant owners said they didn't come anywhere close to 25 percent capacity on their first day reopened. Pictured: Pere Antoine's Restaurant in the French Quarter

Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced the move into Phase 1 of the reopening last week, immediately after Louisiana Gov John Bell Edwards unveiled a similar set of guidelines for the state, taking effect one day earlier.  

Cantrell emphasized that she is balancing the city's public health with its economic needs after its economy ground to a devastating halt under stay-at-home restrictions implemented in mid-March.  

'We're about to turn the faucet on, but not high stream,' Cantrell said of the limited reopening. 

'We're just going to get a little bit of this water, and we're going to test it, and we're going to be able to respond should we need to turn that faucet off.' 

New Orleans is restricting buildings to 25 percent capacity, like the rest of the state, but also requires restaurants, nail salons and other businesses to take customers by reservation. 

The city also capped the number of people allowed in houses of worship and movie theaters at fewer than 100.

Malls and retail stores can reopen, but casinos, video poker, live entertainment and bars are still closed.

Ahead of the reopenings, restaurant owners were tasked with deciding whether it was financial worth it to try reopening under the restrictions. 

Kirk Estopinal, one of the owners of Cane & Table in the French Quarter, planned to open Saturday. 

Guests were supposed to order their food when they make a reservation online and are asked to wear masks. Cleaning will be stepped up, and bathrooms cleaned after every use.

'We're going to trial run what it is to operate in the new normal,' he said. 'We're looking at a restaurant experience that is almost touch-less for our guests.'

Jennifer Weishaupt, chief executive of the Ruby Slipper Cafe, said the company reopened in New Orleans, Metairie and Baton Rouge.

Business was not as busy as anticipated, possibly because of bad weather.

'We had some folks standing in line before we opened at 8am, which was really great,' Weishaupt said.

'We're cautiously optimistic,' she added. 'We've had a steady stream of customers, and we've seen a lot of regulars and it´s been nice to reconnect with them.'

Other owners planned to stick to takeout or stay shuttered altogether for the time being - fearing that it's still to soon to serve customers safely and make employees cook in small kitchens.

'I'm not going to let people inside; I don't feel comfortable doing it,' Howie Kaplan, owner of the Howlin' Wolf music club in the warehouse district, told the Post. 

'I don't think it's safe for my customers; I don't think it's safe for my staff. The reality is, people are still afraid.' 

And from an economic standpoint, many owners said operating at 25 percent capacity would all but guarantee that they lose money. 

Among those staying closed were a number of higher-end restaurants, including Arnaud's, which boasts 1,000 seats just off Bourbon Street.  

'We want to stay relevant, we want people not to forget about us — but we also need to preserve our capital, because this is going to be a long-run kind of deal,' Archie Casbarian, co-owner of Arnaud's, told the Post.  

Some owners keen on getting back up and running expressed more optimism about day one.  

Amer Bader, owner of Estrella Steak & Lobster House near the waterfront, gathered his limited four-person staff for a pep talk before opening at 11am. 

'I need everybody wearing a mask,' Bader told his crew. 'Be as courteous as possible - customers are going to be on edge.' 

Before the pandemic, Estrella could take in at least $5,000 per day across 75 seats. Bader requires $2,000 per day to break even. 

On Saturday, staff waited two hours for the first customer to arrive. That was John Simpson, a 37-year-old oil company employee who drove an hour to see New Orleans come back online. 

'I want to support New Orleans and the French Quarter,' he said. 'I think it's time for more people to come out of their homes.'

Dequrez and Michelle Gulley shared Simpson's sentiments - having booked a last-minute flight from Tampa, Florida, the day before.  

'If you're going to get it, you're going to get it,' Dequrez, 37, said as he and his wife emerged from a desolate bar on Bourbon Street with cocktails in hand. 

'My big thing is: God is still in charge.'

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Inside restaurants and bars, masked servers tended to limited customers spread out several tables or barstools apart. Pictured: Turtle Bay bar in the French Quarter

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Some of the few customers who did come out for opening day said they were eager to get the city back online. Pictured: Women toast inside Pere Antoine's restaurant

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Bars and restaurants are permitted to seat patrons outdoors, but all indoor operations must be limited to 25 percent capacity. Pictured: Two women outside the Huge Ass Beers bar

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A masked worker organizes merchandise at United Apparel Liquidators on Saturday

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An employee at Fifi Mahoney's - a French Quarter salon and wig shop - disinfects surfaces after customers visited the shop on Saturday

But the New Orleans they came to visit was a far cry from normal. 

In Jackson Square, typically teeming with street performers, musicians and artists, a lone tarot card reader held court.  

The Lucky Dog hot dog cart stood outside a Walgreen's on Royal Street waiting for customers. 

Vendor Nathan Neal said he only sold only three hot dogs by early evening, compared with the at least 60 he'd sell on a usual night. 

While the sales were disappointing, Neal said he'd 'rather be here doing nothing than sitting at home doing nothing'.

Pedicab driver Adam Harlow gave just one ride in three hours - to two women who had driven from Dallas for the weekend. He said charged them $20 for an hour trip that would normally cost $60.

'I didn't expect anyone. I just came out to stretch my legs and get a feel for the Quarter,' Harlow told the Post. 

'The most rewarding thing for me today was the first people who came up and said, 'Welcome back. It's good to see you.' 

By 10pm Saturday most of the French Quarter had emptied out. 

People began venturing back into the area on Sunday morning as churches opened their doors for the first time - at 25 percent capacity with a maximum of 100 worshippers.  

At St Augustine Church in Treme, on the edge of the Quarter, just 17 people attended a service that would have had standing room only on a pre-pandemic day. 

But an usher at the church, Catherine Tate, was thrilled just to be there.  

'My heart is full,' she said as she stood outside ahead of the service.