Coronavirus: Chicago cancels St Patrick's Day parades as outbreak spreads

Chicago, Boston and Dublin have cancelled their St. Patrick's Day parades, and New York City may be next

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 16: An aerial view of the Chicago River as it winds its way through downtown after being dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick's day on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Dyeing the river green has been a St. Patrick's Day tradition in the city since 1962. (Getty Images)

Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day parades have been cancelled amid coronavirus fears.

Organisers for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade said the parade - which was scheduled for Saturday - has been cancelled.

The city’s South Side Irish Parade, which was to be held Sunday, is also postponed and a new date has not been set.

Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and the dyeing green of the Chicago River have been annual traditions for the city since 1962.

There are currently 19 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state.

The Chicago Sun Times reported that the cancellations aren’t especially surprising. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker - among others - pressured the city’s mayor, Lori Lightfoot, to cancel the festivities.

“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,” Ms Lightfoot said in a statement. “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.”

Mr Pritzker wrote that the state’s leaders “can’t take any chances with the health of our residents” despite “what the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations mean to us in the city of Chicago.”

“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 think Mayor Lightfoot for her leadership in this difficult situation,” he wrote.

Boston and Dublin have also cancelled their St. Patrick’s Day parades.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is also considering cancelling the city’s parade, which is scheduled for 17 March.

The city has 46 confirmed cases of coronavirus.

Tuesday, the National Guard was deployed to create a containment zone around New Rochelle, New York, where 108 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed across Westchester County, where the city is located.

According to the New York Post, Mr de Blasio said the city was “nowhere near” considering containment zones like the one implemented in New Rochelle, but that cancellations of major events would have to be taken under consideration.

“We have to really think about this one because it’s a beloved event, an important event,” Mr de Blasio said. “It’s not a slam dunk to say this is something to be instantly cancelled. On the other hand, there are real concerns.”