On Friday morning, the City of Miami officially cancelled the 2020 Caraval Miami (Calle 8 Festival) in order to prevent the potential exposure of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) to its residents. The festival had been scheduled for March 15th. This follows Miami’s decision to cancel the Ultra Music festival earlier this week.
“Given developments regarding COVID-19 coronavirus, we‘ve decided to postpone Ultra and not approve special event permits for Calle Ocho Festival out of an abundance of caution. These preventative actions represent our commitment to always put our residents’ well-being first,” said Miami Mayor Francis Suarez on twitter Friday morning.
The City of Coral Gables, has decided to proceed with Carnaval on the Mile this weekend, citing that they are following Mayor Carlos Gimenez’s decision not to cancel the County’s events. Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli and City Manager Peter Iglesias used the Miami Heat’s games as an example for why this event should take place.
“We continue to follow the CDC’s recommendations and are closely following the situation. It is a fluid situation,” said City Manager Iglesias.
“The city is Following CDC guidance and recommendations for our area and I am told that they do not require cancellation Of an event of this nature At this time. With that being said I am looking into it further for myself today,: said Coral Gables Commissioner Jorge L. Fors, Jr.
The City has explained that they have asked the organizer to take additional measures. Gables Insider has made numerous attempts to contact Kiwanis of Little Havana, who organize the event, but no response has been received.
Although the CDC has made no directives towards event cancellations, the World Health Organization (WHO) held a press conference this morning where Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, Techincal Lead for the WHO Emergency Program stated that “the steps that need to be taken to slow the spread of this virus will save lives, all the steps we take towards containment, will save lives.”
What is your opinion? Should Carnaval On the Mile go forward as planned? Take our poll below.
