ST. PETERSBURG — The recent spike in COVID cases will have an effect on events surrounding the city's mayor-elect, Ken Welch.
Welch will still be sworn in January 6, but other planned activities have been postponed.
Welch announced that the Community Reception scheduled for 1 p.m. on January 6 in Williams Park following the mayoral inauguration will be postponed, as well as the Mayor and City Council Reception planned for January 8 at the Dali Museum.
“St. Petersburg has led through this pandemic with compassion, discipline and resilience. However, as we see COVID-19 cases spike throughout our community, we must continue to make the responsible choices that protect each other,” Welch said. “Out of an abundance of caution, we will postpone these events till such time that we can safely celebrate together.”
Welch will make history January 6 when he is sworn in as St. Petersburg’s 54th mayor, outside on the steps of City Hall. Those attending the inauguration who are not vaccinated are asked to wear a mask and follow all CDC guidelines.
The St. Petersburg native served five terms on the Pinellas County Commission and won the November mayoral election with more than 60 percent of the vote, becoming the first African-American to be elected to the city’s top elected office.