St Patricks Day Parade and Evenings on 5th Cancelled
March 12, 2020
Per recommendations from the Public Health Department to avoid large gatherings to help slow the spread of COVID-19 has prompted the City of Naples to cancel the St. Patrick’s Day Parade this coming Saturday and to also postpone 5th Avenue South’s monthly Evenings on 5th.
The concerns for public safety led to the cancellation of both events, which, according to Bruce Barone, Jr., executive director of the 5th Avenue South Business Improvement District, bring more than 40,000 people downtown every year.
“The health and safety of Naples’ residents and visitors will always be our highest priority and like many other cities across the nation and the globe, we are postponing this year’s parade as a precautionary measure to prevent any additional spread of the virus,” said Barone. The decision comes following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and public health experts.
“We all know what St. Patrick’s Day celebrations mean to Naples, but we can’t take any chances with the health of our residents,” adds Barone. “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 thank Mayor Barnett, and the City Manager’s office for their leadership in this difficult situation. We have to make every effort to minimize further spread.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. While the outbreak is a serious public health concern, the majority of those who contract the coronavirus do not become seriously ill, and only a small percentage require intensive care. The single most important piece of advice health experts can give to help us stay safe from COVID-19 is to wash your hands.
