New York City’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is postponed in light of coronavirus containment efforts, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced late Wednesday night.
“I recommended to the organizers that we have to postpone it,” Cuomo said in an interview on CNN with his younger brother, anchor Chris Cuomo.
“It’s two million spectators, 150,000 marchers, you can’t do that in this environment,” the elder Cuomo explained of the parade that was set for Tuesday, March 17.
“How did they take it?” Chris Cuomo asked about how parade organizers’ reacted.
“Not well, I can tell you that much,” said the governor.
“But you know, that’s why I get paid the big bucks,” he joked.
The news comes as New York’s positive disease count rose above 200 cases Wednesday.
Cuomo later issued a joint statement with Sean Lane, Parade Committee Chair of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Celebration Committee, admitting the pair made the tough decision together.
“I recommended and the parade’s leadership agreed to postpone this year’s parade due to the high density and the large volume of marchers and spectators who attend,” said Cuomo.
“While I know the parade organizers did not make this decision lightly, public health experts agree that 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.”
“While the risk to New Yorkers remains low and we want to avoid social and economic disruptions, we have an obligation to take action to contain the spread of this virus,” he added.
Lane, was more terse.
“We thank Governor Cuomo for his decisive leadership in this challenging time. We look forward to celebrating the 259th St. Patrick’s Day Parade with the entire city of New York at a later date,” said the organizer.
This is the first time the parade date has been disrupted since its inception in 1762.