Cathedral City Cancels, Postpones Events

CATHEDRAL CITY —After much deliberation and based on the best public health policies, the City Council has decided to postpone the State of the City scheduled for March 17 due to COVID-19, Mayor John Aguilar has announced.

The State of the City will be rescheduled for May 28.

Additionally, the council has decided to cancel LGBT Days for 2020 in order to protect the health and safety our residents and visitors who are at greater risk for severe illness from this virus.  The City is also canceling “City Hall at Your Corner” until further notice.

However, due to being outdoors and the ability for social distancing, Cathedral City will continue the “Movies in the Park” scheduled for Saturday, March 14 and on Saturday, March 21 in Panorama Park.

The Cathedral City City Council wants everyone to know that these steps were not taken lightly, knowing the economic impact it might have on local businesses.

“The decision, however, was made based on the best public health policies during a time when we are grappling with a new virus that has many unknowns as it continues to spread rapidly throughout the world,” Christopher Parman, communications manager, said in a news release.

There are currently five coronavirus patients in the Coachella Valley, according to Jose Arballo, Riverside University Health System-Public Health spokesperson.

On Feb. 25, health officials announced the first Riverside County resident to be diagnosed with the coronavirus was a passenger on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. The patients is being treated at a Northern California facility.

Summary of Cathedral City actions:

• “State of the City” postponed to Thursday, May 28, 2020
• “Cathedral City LGBT Days” canceled for 2020.
• “City Hall at Your Corner” canceled until further notice.
• “Movies in the Park” will continue with added steps for social distancing.

The cancellations and postponements follow the cancellation of Stagecoach, Coachella, and the 2020 BNP Paribas Open.