Council’s foreign travel off due to Covid-19
WEXFORD County Council has agreed to a cessation of all foreign travel in a bid to limit the spread of coronavirus.
While County Council Chairman Michael Sheehan and Mayor of Wexford George Lawlor were due to fly to Savannah, Georgia, for St Patrick’s Day to discuss furthering connections with Georgia Southern University and the Tradebridge Scheme, the decision has been taken to cancel the trip. Similarly, Cllrs Lisa McDonald and John Fleming were due to fly to New York to join the St Patrick’s Day festivities, but this has also fallen victim to the virus.
In a joint statement, Cllrs Sheehan and Lawlor said: ‘In view of the current situation regarding public health and with an abundance of caution, we have decided to cancel our proposed visit to join the St Patrick’s Day festivities in the USA.
We believe our foremost responsibility is to remain in Wexford to monitor, lead and assist in the response to what is an unique and unprecedented crisis. We urge people to listen to the relevant authorities for up to date guidelines and advice. Wexford County Council groupings will be active in meeting to monitor, review and formulate plans as required.’
Similarly, at last week’s meeting of Wexford County Council, invitations were made for council delegations to travel to the Cavalcade of Fleurus in France on April 11 and 12 and New Ross’ twin town of Moncoutant in France on April 17. Cllr Sheehan confirmed that, unfortunately, the council would not be in a position to accept these invitations in the midst of the global pandemic. ‘Pretty much all travel is currently off the agenda,’ Cllr Sheehan said. ‘First we started with the bigger trips to the US and that will be extended to all trips. I think the realism of the scale of this situation is now dawning on people and we have to take every precaution possible.’