CLEVELAND, Ohio – Mayor Frank Jackson said he expects Cleveland will continue to ban mass gatherings and events over the summer to help slow the spread of coronavirus.

Jackson, speaking at a media briefing Friday morning at Public Auditorium, said the city will continue to adhere to the state’s orders that people avoid social gatherings and remain at home. The infectious nature of COVID-19 coronavirus demands it, he said.

“Anywhere there is a potential mass gathering, we will not be issuing a permit for it,” Jackson said.

That would cover a host of summer events, ranging from rib burn-offs to musical and art festivals. While the coronavirus remains a crisis, the city will continue to follow state guidelines, Jackson said.

The administration later clarified the statement, saying that what is allowed and what is canceled will depend on whether the crisis level remains.

“The city of Cleveland will continue to follow the direction of the governor and the CDC in regards to mass gatherings. Social distancing and enforcement of events will remain in place as long as there is a need to minimize the spread of COVID-19,” the administration said. “This may or may not extend throughout the summer.”

Jackson called the briefing, which was also streamed live on Facebook, to provide updates on what the city is doing to address the coronavirus outbreak. He also sought to reassure people, noting that while City Hall offices remain closed, essential workers, such as police, fire and EMS personnel, remain on the job.

Meanwhile, an executive policy group, made up of several members of his cabinet, meets daily to discuss what steps the city should take in response to the outbreak.

That group’s decisions led to the closing of City Hall offices to the public, although some limited services are available, the shuttering of recreation centers and steps enacted by public safety workers to try to protect them from contracting the virus while on the job.

The group also established a program, working with the Children’s Hunger Alliance, to distribute free box meals for children outside the recreation centers. More than 2,100 meals had been distributed as of Tuesday.

The mayor later appeared on The City Club of Cleveland in a remote presentation Friday, where he delivered a similar message. City government would continue to function and take a lead in addressing the coronavirus, he said.

“We have to be that public face, not only letting people know what we’re doing, but implementing and acting,” Jackson said.

This week the mayor extended his proclamation of a civil emergency to run through April. He noted that when he issued it on March 11, no cases of coronavirus had been confirmed in Cleveland.

As of Thursday, there were 148. Two Clevelanders have died from the disease.

“I’m pointing this out to you so you can see how rapidly it spreads,” Jackson said.

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