CINCINNATI – Due to a recent spike in local cases of COVID-19, Mayor-elect Aftab Pureval has decided to relocate Tuesday’s planned swearing-in ceremony for newly elected Cincinnati officials from Music Hall to an outdoor space at nearby Washington Park. The event will still begin as planned at 11 a.m.

​Pureval said he made the decision to relocate the ceremony after consultation with Health Commissioner Dr. Melba Moore. On Saturday, the Cincinnati Health Department reported “record-breaking numbers of individual cases of COVID-19, unlike any that we have received since the pandemic began.”

Community transmission of COVID-19 is at an “unprecedented” and “very high level,” a social media post from the Health Department said. Officials said outbreaks are being reported at healthcare settings, critical infrastructure services, long-term care facilities, daycares and other congregate settings.

Last Monday, the Cincinnati Health Department reported 287 new cases. That number jumped to over 400 by Tuesday and topped 650 by the end of the week. Between Friday and today, there have been three days where the case count topped 700, including a high of 989 new cases on New Year's Day.

The ceremony remains open to the public, but the city will still enforce its COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines. That means masks must be worn regardless of a person's vaccination status. The official announcement said proof of vaccination status and/or a recent negative test are required as well.

“This is an exciting time for our community. We have new leadership and we are all on board for ensuring the safety and well-being of all of our citizens as they partake in the festivities,” Moore said. “I support wholeheartedly, along with my Board of Health, that the festivities will be taking place outdoors for an additional level of protection of our attendees.”

Pureval said that the administration wishes to exercise an abundance of caution in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, while commemorating the start of a new chapter for Cincinnati.

"While we are moving the ceremony outside in consultation with the city’s leading health experts, I look forward to an exciting day for our city,” he said.

The move means Pureval and the nine members of Cincinnati City Council will be sworn in for this term on the northern lawn of Washington Park, across the street from the original location – a ballroom inside historic Music Hall in Over-the-Rhine. It's also only a few blocks from City Hall.

Pureval announced that he and members of the incoming City Council will bike to Washington Park along with representatives from Tri-State Trails and Groundwork Ohio River Valley. The group will depart from the Red Bike station at City Hall.

“Transportation equity is a key part of our agenda to create a vibrant, interconnected community. I am thrilled to join my colleagues on Day One in reaffirming our commitment to comprehensive support for bike infrastructure,” Pureval said.

One of the council members to be joining Pureval is Mark Jeffreys, a downtown resident.

“Cities that are thriving are ones that invest in bike infrastructure. A robust bike network is imperative for our growth and vitality, as well as for becoming a more equitable and healthy city,” he said.

Each city official will offer brief comments after taking the oath of office. In years past, each person would be sworn in by a qualified person of their choosing while surrounded by family and loved ones. Pureval picked Judge Timothy S. Black, a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio since 2010.

Beyond the ceremonial elements, the event will also serve as a formal council session and the newly elected officials will vote on a handful of items. Most of the legislative matters will revolve around procedural items, such as establishing council committees for this term. From start to finish, the event is set to run for about two hours.

A special meeting of the Budget and Finance Committee is set for 11 a.m. Wednesday. It will be followed at 2 p.m. that same day by the first full meeting of council. Public comment begins at 1:30 p.m.