The traditional Saint Patrick’s Day parade in New York has been suspended for the first time in over 250 years due to fears that the annual street party will help spread the coronavirus.
Saint Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration held on March 17, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland.
Health experts have been unanimous in advising officials to call off large gatherings that make close contact in the crowds inevitable.
The parade honouring the Irish saint had been planned for March 17.
“I know this decision didn’t come easy, so I’ll make this promise: this is a postponement, not a cancellation,’’ Mayor Bill de Blasio wrote on Twitter.
Sean Lane, the head of the organising committee, also said the city would celebrate its 259th Saint Patrick’s Day parade at a later date.
Some 150,000 people annually take part in the event, which is centred on Fifth Avenue.
Participants include Irish community groups and associations from police, emergency services and the military, while up to 2 million people turn out to watch.
The cities of Chicago and Boston have also cancelled their Saint Patrick’s Day parades.
On Monday, Ireland said it was cancelling its major St. Patrick’s Day parades because of the coronavirus. (dpa/NAN)
