CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicago's three St. Patrick’s Day parades have been canceled this weekend due to fears of coronavirus.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Wednesday the decision to postpone the downtown St. Patrick’s Day parades follows guidance and information from public health experts.
"First we are announcing, out of an abundance of caution, Chicago is postponing this year's St. Patrick's Day parade and the river dyeing event downtown," Lightfoot said. "As well as our St. Patrick's Day parades on our Northwest and South sides."
She said the city is working with organizers from Chicago’s downtown, South Side, and Northwest Side parades, as well as the annual dyeing of the Chicago River to reschedule those events to a later date and ensure the health and safety of Chicago’s residents and visitors.
"Chicago’s South Side Irish Parade is one of the community’s most anticipated and celebrated traditions,” said Alderman Matt O’Shea, 19th Ward. “While this decision will be disappointing to many, minimizing the potential for COVID-19's spread must be our top priority.”
The decision to postpone the official St. Patrick’s Day parades follows guidance and information from public health experts, including the CDC, and counterparts in other jurisdictions experiencing similar impacts from COVID-19. The Mayor said St. Patrick’s Day parades and associated activities present very unique circumstances for Chicago, drawing over a million attendees, many from outside of the city and across the country, and offering few opportunities for attendees to practice social distancing – a key recommendation by health experts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“The health and safety of Chicago’s residents will always be our highest priority and like many other cities across the nation and globe, we are postponing this year’s parades as a precautionary measure to prevent any additional spread of COVID-19,” Lightfoot said. “I want everyone to rest assured that your City and State continue to work around the clock to stay ahead of this issue and ensure everyone remains protected, informed, and safe.”
The City said it will continue to work with state and county agencies on an ongoing basis to review all future non-essential, large gatherings and provide recommendations to the appropriate parties as needed. As it relates to other large planned events, the City’s guidance and protocol for large events will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
“We all know what the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations mean to us in the city of Chicago — but as elected leaders, we can’t take any chances with the health of our residents,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Because of what we’ve seen nationally and across the world of the increased risk of large gatherings, this was the right call and I thank Mayor Lightfoot for her leadership in this difficult situation. Now that we’ve reached the stage where we’re seeing regular new cases—reflecting additional spread within our communities—we have to make every effort to minimize further spread, as best we can."
Governor Pritzker also called on the CDC to give greater clarity on what a mass gathering is and what the cut off should be for how many people can come together.
“Protecting the health and wellness of both Chicago’s residents and visitors is our top priority as we continue to learn more about the nature of COVID-19,” said Dr. Allison Arwady, M.D., Commissioner of CDPH. “We want to be sure that everyone understands the daily measures they can take to keep themselves safe such as social distancing, routine handwashing and avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth. We remain in constant communication with the CDC as well as federal, state and local officials to determine the best protocol moving forward in this ever-evolving situation.”
The Irish cities of Dublin and Cork both announced on Monday that they are canceling their St Patrick's Day parades amid coronavirus fears.
San Francisco and Boston also canceled its parades.
More information and updates on COVID-19 can be found on the IDPH website, the CDPH website, and the CDC website. You can also contact the Chicago Department of Public Health at coronavirus@chicago.gov.