ZCZC
BFF-24
HEALTH-VIRUS-US-PARADE
New York postpones St Patrick’s Day parade over virus fears
NEW YORK, March 12, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – New York City has postponed its annual
St Patrick’s Day parade over the global coronavirus pandemic, officials said
late Wednesday, days after other events in US cities were canceled.
State governor Andrew Cuomo said the decision was taken after a meeting
with parade organizers.
“One of the most effective ways to contain the spread of the virus is to
limit large gatherings and close contacts, and I applaud the parade’s
leadership for working cooperatively with us,” said New York state governor
Andrew Cuomo in a statement.
New York’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is the largest in the United States and
typically attracts two million spectators.
The event has been held annually for more than 250 years and Wednesday’s
announcement marked the first time it would not be held as scheduled, the New
York Times reported.
Officials said the parade would be held at a later date.
“I know this decision didn’t come easy, so I’ll make this promise: this is
a postponement, not a cancellation,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Boston’s mayor on Monday announced the cancelation of his city’s St
Patrick’s Day parade, which was expected to attract around one million
attendees.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1132 hrs