A LIMERICK City councillor has called for the mass gatherings to be cancelled, mainly Limerick City’s St Patrick’s Day festivities, in light of the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak.
Councillor Conor Sheehan, Labour, highlighted other towns in Ireland calling “a halt to festivities” in light of the “worsening public health situation”.
Cllr Sheehan said, “There is a precedent here as St Patrick’s Day parades were cancelled in 2001 due to the foot and mouth outbreak.”
“With thousands expected on the streets over St Patrick’s Weekend and medical advice advising against mass gatherings, the public health and well-being of the people of Limerick must come first.”
“The risk is too big and the situation is getting worse by the day. The Council need to make a hard decision and cancel the parade.”
When asked if he would like to see all mass gatherings cancelled, including concerts and sports matches, the Cllr Sheehan told the Limerick Post that he would, “but specifically the St Patrick’s Day festivities in the city” pointing to the cancellation in 2001 due to the foot and mouth outbreak as an example.
The Labour councillor told the Limerick Post he would like to see the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar “lead by example in cancelling the Dublin St Patrick’s Day Parade”.
Speaking yesterday to the press, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said, “In terms of events, detailed guidance has been issued today on events and mass gatherings. We’re not recommending at this stage that any major events be cancelled.”
But the Taoiseach did say the decision would be “kept under review”.
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