What to expect for the July 4 celebration as U.S. COVID-19 cases surge

U.S. President Donald Trump has invited tens of thousands of guests to the National Mall in Washington D.C. for "the Salute for America" celebration party on July 4th, as 40 out of 50 U.S. states have reported a surge in COVID-19 cases on Friday.

The event begins with a speech from President Trump on the White House South Lawn as well as a military air show over the city, followed by a spectacular fireworks display, according to the AP.

White House officials told AP that they would distribute 300,000 face coverings to people gathering on the National Mall. Interior Department Secretary David Bernhardt said all visitors must keep six-foot social distance from one another but wearing masks are not required.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser who has canceled the traditional event Fourth of July parade in the capital city, said on Friday that she didn't have the right to shut down the party scheduled on federal land, but she urged residents to put health safety first before deciding to participate any big gatherings. "Just because someone invites you to a party doesn't mean you have to go," she tweeted on Friday.

Residents in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore can expect military flyovers over their cities on Saturday before the jets head to the Washington, D.C. The "Salute to the Great Cities of the American Revolution" air show will start from Boston at 4 p.m. EST, according to the AP.

To avoid crowds for the July 4 celebration, all fireworks shows scheduled in California cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego have been canceled.

Some beaches have closed in Florida, California and Texas over holiday weekend. Miami-Dade, Florida's most populous county has imposed a curfew from 10 pm to 6 am nightly and will be implemented "until further notice", according to media reports.

With a lot of large fireworks shows cancelled in the U.S., some officials are concerned about wildfires and injures due to more Americans possibly shooting off fireworks at home.

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