The 2 p.m. roundtable was about "local preparations for coronavirus and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations"

SAVANNAH, Ga. — A historic Georgia town has no plans of canceling its massive St. Patrick's Day parade over coronavirus fears.

Mayor Van Johnson met with organizers, local business groups and health officials on Thursday to publicly go over the plans underway to mitigate the risks from the quickly spreading virus.

The meeting comes just days after the first cases of coronavirus were found in Georgia - though these cases were in Fulton County and nowhere near Savannah.

The St. Patrick's Day festival, which includes the parade itself, begins on March 13 and runs through March 15.

Numerous lists rank the annual event as one of the largest St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the country with it often ranking behind only New York City and Chicago. And with that large influx of visitors has come concerns over the new virus now spreading across U.S. cities.

However, Mayor Johnson assured attendees of Thursday's meeting that the city is well-prepared to handle the annual crowd and the threat of coronavirus.

"We wanted to make sure that we brought everyone to the table to be able to discuss our preparations and how do we deal with the challenges that I'm sure is on everybody's minds," Johnson said.

Johnson said that the city will take its lead from the Coastal Health District and the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Robert Thornton with the Department of Public Health said that his department is reiterating recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And it appears prevention is the biggest role paradegoers can undertake.

"Even though your risk of infection is low, we offer the following advice," Thornton said. "We encourage parade and festival organizers to make sure handwashing stations are available to help participants practice good hygiene."

For those that are already sick - with anything - Thornton advised they stay home. And those susceptible to respiratory illness should speak with their doctor before coming.

"And those who are here to enjoy the parade, we're asking that you use good common sense when it comes to stopping the spread of germs," he said. "Wash your hands, especially before you eat, cover your cough, do not share cups and utensils and, if you get sick, for your sake and those around you, go home or seek medical care."

Business leaders added that it was also up to businesses to increase cleaning standards and take precautions to prevent the spread of disease.

Organizers are also continuing an initiative from previous years to urge people not to run up and kiss soldiers in the parade - something that seems to have even more importance during the 2020 event.

"Respect the uniform," Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Chairman Lawrence 'Bubba' Edgerly said.

Mayor Johnson concluded that Savannah will make it through this event - and illness concern - just like they do everything else.

"So, we just want our citizens to be prepared, use common sense, carry the hand sanitizer, don't kiss people you don't know," he said. "And just understand the very heightened time that we're living in."