The twin beams of blue light that have lighted the night sky since the September 11th attacks to honor that attack's victims will not light up on the anniversary this year, a spokesperson for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum confirmed on Thursday.

Michael Frazier, a spokesperson for the memorial and museum, said the health risks from the coronavirus pandemic "were far too great for the large crew required to produce the annual Tribute in Light."

The tribute will be replaced by buildings from across the city lighting up their facades and spires on this year's anniversary of the attacks, Frazier said.

The Tribute in Light first shined in the New York City sky six months after the attacks, in March 2002. It became a staple of the city's remembrance of the attacks for more than a decade, shining on every anniversary.

The tribute is projected by 88 lights from atop the 48-story Battery Parking Garage. According to Frazier, the display requires 17,000 feet of cable to be run through seven stories of the garage.

The museum had previously canceled its annual ceremony where the names of victims of the attacks are read.