MINNEAPOLIS — According to press releases issued Thursday afternoon, both the Minneapolis and St. Paul St. Patrick's Day parades have been cancelled.
"Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, we have been asked alongside other cities across the nation to cancel our parade to prevent further spreading of the virus," the Minneapolis St. Patrick's Day Association says on their website.
The St. Paul St. Patrick's Day Association states it made the decision to pull the plug on its event after meeting with the St. Paul mayor's office, and several local health organizations including the Minnesota Department of Health.
On Thursday, Mayor Melvin Carter said,“public health professionals have clearly stated that hygiene and social distancing are our primary tools to address this pandemic. We will take every precaution to ensure public health and safety, starting with making sure every family can afford to wash their hands.”
"We take the health and safety of our members, volunteers, participants, spectators, and community very seriously. This would have been our 54th year celebrating, and we did not make this decision lightly," the St. Paul St. Patrick's Day Association says.
This week, the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus has led to a number of other high-profile cancellations affecting a variety of institutions from national sport leagues to local universities and events.
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