Marine Barracks Washington D.C. is postponing the evening parade season over COVID-19

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon performs during an evening parade at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., June 12, 2015. The Honoroable Mac Thornberry was the guest of honor for the parade and Ge. John M. Paxton, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, was the hosting official for that same parade. The Evening Parade summer tradition began in 1934 and features the Silent Drill Platoon, the U.S. Marine Band, the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and two marching companies. More than 3,500 guests attend the parade every week. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Melissa Marnell/Released)

Marines and fans of the Silent Drill Platoon are going to have to wait a couple more weeks to watch the famed unit twirl rifles and conduct drill movements at the evening parade aboard the Washington D.C. barracks, as COVID-19 continues to disrupt U.S. military operations, shows and plans across the globe.

The storied and historic Marine barracks in Washington D.C. is postponing the start of the evening parade season until May 15, the Marine barracks announced Tuesday.

This year’s evening parade season was slated to kick off May 1, but Marine officials are sliding the date back a couple more weeks to comply with local and federal guidelines that prohibit larger social gatherings, a news release detailed.

On March 20, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed an order prohibiting mass gatherings of 50 or more people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention there are 137 confirmed COVID-19 cases across Washington D.C.

The Marine barracks usually kicks off the evening parade season during the first Friday in May. The evening parades are conducted every Friday and concludes on the last Friday in August.

The Marine barracks in D.C. said it was continuing to monitor and implement guidance from the CDC, DoD and the Corps to protect service members and the community.