Washington, March 15 (IANS): Though St Patrick's Day is on Tuesday this year, revellers in cities across the US began their celebrations from the weekend itself despite the official advice for social distancing in view of the Covid-19 spread, reports said.

In Chicago, the city's annual parades and river-dyeing event were cancelled, but many restaurants and bars remained open and local media shared photos of long lines to get into bars on Saturday, the BBC reported.

The bar visits came despite an appeal by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker to young partygoers to follow distancing guidelines.

"You can have the unintended tragic effect of spreading Covid-19 to others who are more vulnerable. Please do the right thing for your community," he had said at a press conference recently.

Other cities where St Patricks' Day revellers gathered included Boston, New York City and New Orleans, where police had to intervene to break up the pub and bar crowds.

"Our @NOPDnews (New Orleans Police Department) are onsite disbanding a large gathering. This is irresponsible, potentially endangering the entire community. New Orleans just had our first fatality. Be a part of the solution to slow the spread of #COVID19 #coronavirus @NOLAready," the City of New Orleans said in a tweet.