St. Petersburg Mayor Inauguration Day To Be Virtual After Ken Welch Tests COVID Positive

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — After testing positive for COVD-19 Monday, St. Petersburg Mayor-elect Ken Welch will virtually broadcast his swearing-in as the city's 54th mayor and first Black mayor Thursday.

The speech will be shown on the city’s television channel – St. Pete TV and streamed on the city’s Facebook page. It will also include video from earlier in the day of Welch being sworn-in. The inauguration ceremony scheduled to take place outside city hall was canceled because of Welch's positive COVID-19 test results.

“Though we will not be able to celebrate in person, let us acknowledge and celebrate the significance of the day – the day that we begin a journey together, as one community in one city, unified in purpose towards our shared goal of inclusive progress," Welch said. "We are St. Pete – and we will have much more to celebrate together in the years to come."

Presiding over Welch’s swearing-in will be Sixth Judicial Circuit Judge Michael J. Andrews. People watching and covering Thursday’s broadcast are encouraged to use the hashtag #WeAreStPete.

Following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, Welch will work from home until he is clear from isolation, according to his media staff. He is expected to begin working from city hall Monday.

Welch's inaugural speech will be brief and live. It is scheduled to broadcast virtually at noon Thursday.

Related Patch Story:

• Mayor-Elect Welch Tests COVID-19 Positive: No Public Ceremony