Hermosa Beach Cancels Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade

HERMOSA BEACH, CA — The City of Hermosa Beach and Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau announced Thursday that the St. Patrick’s Day Parade scheduled Saturday is canceled due to concerns over the new coronavirus.

The parade is canceled in response to recommendations by Gov. Gavin Newsom and public health experts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus by canceling large public gatherings, the City news release said.

Newsom announced Wednesday that the state’s public health experts have determined that gatherings should be postponed or canceled across the state until at least the end of March. Newsom said non-essential gatherings must be limited to no more than 250 people, the news release said. The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade has drawn large crowds of spectators and participants to the beach city’s downtown for the last 25 years, the City said.

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The City of Hermosa Beach and Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau released the following statement:

“Out of an abundance of caution, we are announcing the cancellation of the 26th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade scheduled to take place Saturday in downtown Hermosa Beach. With the governor and public health experts recommending the cancellation of large public gatherings and at least two cases within the County involving community spread, canceling this large-scale event is a prudent and responsible action to help reduce the risk of the virus spread.”

“As you know, many other organizations have canceled or delayed large public events to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, including most of the country’s large St. Patrick’s Day parades. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and other public health experts have said that those who are pregnant, elderly or have underlying health issues are especially vulnerable to developing serious effects from the virus. As a community, we have a collective responsibility to work together to avoid spreading this disease, and the decision to cancel the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is based solely on the need to protect public health.

“We know the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a time-honored community tradition that many look forward to each year, and we thank our residents for their patience and understanding. We regret any inconvenience this cancellation may cause for the parade’s sponsors, participants and loyal attendees.”

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC's recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Throughout the Golden State, meanwhile, a growing list of events are being dropped as organizers heed health advisories regarding the possible spread of COVID-19 at crowded gatherings. Among recent cancellations: Holi On The Beach -Fest of Colors: Santa Monica; SF St. Patrick's Day Parade & Fest: San Francisco; and St. Patrick's Day Festival, Parade: Dublin.

The San Diego St. Patrick's Day and Irish Festival, as of Thursday morning, was planned to proceed on Saturday.

The City of Hermosa Beach is in communication with the sponsors of other large events that are planned over the next month and anticipates more events to be canceled or postponed. The City is closely monitoring updates and sharing information about COVID-19 that is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. For more information, visit the City of Hermosa Beach website.