Biden's inaugural parade is canceled and replaced with a virtual version to avoid drawing large crowds amid the pandemic
President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration parade has been cancelled in favor of a virtual version designed to limit crowds during the coronavirus era.
Organizers announced the changes on Sunday, saying that a 'virtual parade across America' will be held instead of the traditional procession on Inauguration Day, January 20.
Following the swearing-in ceremony on the west front of the US Capitol, Biden and his wife, first lady Jill Biden, will join Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband in participating in a socially distanced Pass in Review on the Capitol's opposite front side. Those are military traditions where Biden will review the readiness of military troops.
Biden will also receive a traditional presidential escort with representatives from every branch of the military from 15th Street in Washington to the White House.
That, the Presidential Inaugural Committee says, will be socially distanced too, while 'providing the American people and world with historic images of the President-elect proceeding to the White House without attracting large crowds'.
Joe Biden's inaugural parade has been cancelled and replaced with a virtual version, organizers announced Sunday. Biden is seen at his first swearing-in ceremony in 2009
Following the swearing-in ceremony on the west front of the US Capitol, Biden and his wife, first lady Jill Biden, will join Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband in participating in a socially distanced Pass in Review on the Capitol's opposite front side
Workers in recent days began dismantling an inaugural parade reviewing stand in front of the White House as Biden's transition team continues to prepare for festivities that will be mostly virtual.
Accordingly, organizers also said they will hold a virtual parade nationwide to 'celebrate America's heroes, highlight Americans from all walks of life in different states and regions, and reflect on the diversity, heritage, and resilience of the country as we begin a new American era'.
The parade event will be televised and feature 'diverse, dynamic' performances in communities across the country, the inaugural committee promised.
Participants will be announced in coming weeks.
'We are excited about the possibilities and opportunities this moment presents to allow all Americans to participate in our country's sacred inaugural traditions,' said Presidential Inaugural Committee Executive Director Maju Varghese said in a statement.
Biden arrives at St Edmond Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on Sunday
The upcoming inaugural celebration will be Biden's third, after having spent two terms as vice president under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017.
This one will look very different from those of the past, which each drew more than one million people to the Capitol.
Throughout their presidential campaign Biden and Harris have followed coronavirus guidelines to the letter, so it's not a surprise that their inauguration will do the same.
Biden's first two inaugurations as vice president drew crowds of millions of people to the Capitol in 2009 and 2013 (pictured)
