ANDERSON — Officials in two Indiana communities have canceled community events into the summer in the wake of the continuing COVID-19 crisis.
Anderson Mayor Thomas Broderick Jr. on Monday announced the cancellation of the Citywide Clean UP, Summer Parks Camps, City Pool, July 4th parade, fireworks and festivities, the Downtown Concert Series and the Mayor's Annual Charity Ball for Teachers.
"I am disappointed to report that the current COVID-19 crisis makes it necessary to cancel several of our city sponsored events in order to protect our community and its citizens from the spread of this deadly virus," Broderick said. "All of these canceled events involve large groups of people gathering together in social settings that will not be safe until we have substantially flattened the curve of this virus, driven down the numbers of cases and have developed and deployed an effective vaccine available to all of our citizens."
Broderick said while there are signs of a flattening of the curve in some parts of the country, in other areas, including Anderson and Madison County, there has not yet been a flattening. The mayor also noted that some federal authorities have said it may be 12-18 months before there is a vaccine.
Broderick said he is committed to reopening events when it is possible.
"I consider all of these events to be part of our quality of place, quality of life initiatives and I will do everything within my power to bring back all of these events and even more once the dangers of this virus have passed," Broderick said. "I know that these cancellations will sadden many and it is a truly an unfortunate and unexpected situation, but I believe we all agree that continuing to take mitigating actions to protect our community-at-lartge is the proper course of action."
In Tippecanoe County, the Tippecanoe County Health Officer on Tuesday issued an order postponing or canceling community events through June 30.
The Tippecanoe County Health Department said individuals and organizations planning large community events, greater than 10 people, should begin considering to postpone or cancel such gatherings through June 30. The health department said if Gov. Eric Holcomb lifts the stay at home order prior to this date, the June 30 date would become null and void and would automatically coincide with the governor's end date.
