New York City has taken the unprecedented step of canceling its St.
Patrick’s Day parade, the first time it has done so in more than 250 years. The parade was supposed to take place on March 17.
Among all the St. Patrick’s Day parades in the US, New York’s parade is the most important, normally attracting up to two million people.
From 44th Street, it goes up Fifth Avenue to 80th and has been a yearly tradition since 1762.
The parade is a festive occasion with lots of crowds and large amounts of beer and other alcoholic beverages, factors that go against the social distancing measures being advised to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
While Mayor Bill de Blasio has not yet confirmed the cancellation, the New York Post reported that City Councilwoman Carlina Rivera said the parade will not occur.
Earlier on March 11, De Blasio said he was considering canceling the parade.
“We’re talking it through with the parade committee. We have to really think about this one because it’s a beloved event, an important event,” he said.
New York has seen at least 20 confirmed coronavirus cases but has not yet enacted any official isolation measures. Governor Andrew Cuomo did declare a state of emergency.
According to Cuomo, health experts had also recommended the cancelation of the St. Patrick’s Day parade.
“Why would you risk bringing thousands of people together knowing that this is a virus that easily communicates?” Cuomo asked.
The governor added that a decision would likely come out later on March 11 but Cuomo had not yet confirmed the cancellation order either.
Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot had already canceled the city’s own St. Patrick’s Day parade because of the coronavirus threat. The parade’s website also stated that the river dyeing had also been canceled.
While Chicago itself doesn’t have any confirmed cases, the state of Illinois already has 19 coronavirus cases.
Chicago’s cancellation came just a day after Boston canceled their own St. Patrick’s Day parade.
The cancellation was made “out of an abundance of caution to ensure that we are doing what is needed to keep the residents of Boston safe and healthy,” Mayor Marty Walsh said in a statement on Twitter.
“While the risk in Boston remains low, this situation is changing very quickly,” the statement said. “Our top priority is preventing any new cases, to the best of our ability.”
Replaced!