Norfolk cancels this weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day parade

Photo courtesy of the Norfolk St Patrick’s Day Parade website.

Posted: Mar 12, 2020 / 01:10 PM EDT

Updated: Mar 12, 2020 / 02:49 PM EDT

BREAKING: The City of Norfolk has decided to cancel the 53rd annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Ocean View, which was scheduled for this Saturday.

The city is asking residents to remove any tents or vehicles currently placed along the parade route, as soon as possible.

A city spokesperson said, “This was not an easy decision, but ultimately we have to take into consideration the uncertainty around COVID-19 and its impact on our residents.”

Out of an abundance of caution and following Governor Northam’s recent guidance, #NorfolkVA has cancelled the 53rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade for Sat, Mar 14. Residents who have placed tents or parked vehicles along the route, please remove them as soon as possible.
— City of Norfolk, VA (@NorfolkVA) March 12, 2020

There were signs earlier Thursday that the parade might be canceled, after participants began to withdraw from the parade.

Coronavirus Coverage on WAVY.com

The newest coronavirus strand is called COVID-19, and its presence is growing in Virginia. The Virginia Department announced Thursday that there are 15 presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth. The disease causes respiratory illness, which can turn into pneumonia and be deadly.

Many other large St. Patrick’s Day traditions around the world have decided to cancel or postpone festivities, including the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which has been postponed for the first time in its 258-year history.