RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has urged event organizers to postpone or cancel large Richmond events as COVID-19 spreads.

“Public health and public safety are our highest priorities,” Mayor Stoney said in a Thursday morning statement. “Due to the greater health threat COVID-19 poses to the city’s most vulnerable populations, my administration and its partners are taking all necessary precautions to encourage CDC-recommended social distancing."

In the interest of public health, my administration is recommending postponement of large events. To make sure the public has access to reliable information, we've also started a live update page: https://t.co/L1WD0Oc4bi — Levar M. Stoney (@LevarStoney) March 12, 2020

The mayor's office made the recommendation "following intensive discussion with public health and public safety officials and is informed by the Centers for Disease Control Interim Guidance designed for those planning large events and mass gatherings."

The city's announcement comes one day after organizers of Shamrock The Block indicated that event would go on as scheduled this Saturday, March 14.

"We want to be thoughtful but not live in fear. We have been monitoring the current news daily and we believe common sense is king here. We are asking people to use their common sense," event organizers posted to Facebook on Wednesday. "If you are sick, stay home. If you have concerns, stay home."

No announcement has been made for the upcoming Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K, scheduled for Saturday, March 28.