Louisiana postpones coronavirus Democratic primaries

The State of Louisiana , in the United States , announced on Friday, 13, the postponement of the Democratic primaries that were scheduled to happen on April 4 due to the coronavirus pandemic . The vote has already been rescheduled for June 20.

"We want to protect the health and safety of all citizens of Louisiana by doing our part to prevent the spread of this highly infectious disease," State Secretary Kyle Ardoin told the press. Louisiana has 19 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus.

Municipal elections that were scheduled to take place across the state on the same date were also postponed and rescheduled to July 25. Louisiana is the first US state to postpone primaries because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Democratic Party's primaries entered their finals this week after former Vice President Joe Biden opened up a considerable advantage over his main opponent, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

The two candidates, however, postponed campaign events that were scheduled to take place in Ohio this week after the state confirmed three cases of Covid-19.

A debate scheduled for next Sunday, 15, in Arizona, has been changed and will take place in Washington. The event will be held behind closed doors, without an audience.