PARADE OFF AS CORONAVIRUS IMPACT HITS
ORGANISERS PUT ST PATRICK’S DAY PLANS ON HOLD
Dundalk’s St. Patrick’s Day parade has been called off as organisers say it is the ‘sensible’ approach’ amid concerns over the spread of Coronavirus.
The parade was set to have been held on Monday evening next, ahead of St. Patrick’s day festivities in the centre of town.
But the local committee confirmed yesterday (Monday) that all events have now been postponed.
Chairman, Cllr. Conor Keelan said: ‘Following careful consideration the Dundalk St. Patrick’s Day Committee have decided to postpone the events scheduled to take place in the town centre on March 16th and 17th.’
He added: ‘ We appreciate that this decision will disappoint many people but in the interest of public health and to ensure that the spread of Covid-19 is minimised we believe that this is the sensible approach to take at present.’
The news emerged as it was confirmed the Dublin St.Patrick’s Day parade will also not go ahead.
THE organisers of the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dundalk have stressed the two planned two day events have been postponed and ‘not cancelled.’
The ‘Urban Green’ themed Dundalk parade was among scores of St. Patrick’s Day events around the country being called off yesterday (Monday) as efforts intensify to prevent a major outbreak of the Coronavirus.
Committee chair, Cllr. Conor Keelan made the announcement, saying: ‘We are announcing this decision in order to give the maximum amount of notice to all those who are involved, including all those who have signed up for the parade and the other events.’
He added: ‘It is important to note that these events are not cancelled, they are postponed. We are already looking at scheduling for alter in the year, when it is deemed safe, and when the spread of Covid-19 has ceased. We will continue to work with all our sponsors, suppliers and participants in arranging an alternative date.’
‘I want to thank everyone who has supported us in the last few months; our main sponsors PayPal, and others in the local business community, Louth County Council, Dundalk Tidy Towns and Dundalk Gardaí, in order to bring something new and special to Dundalk for St Patrick’s Day, but this is now not possible at present.’
Meanwhile concerns over the spread of the Coronavirus have led to visitor restrictions being put in place at nursing homes across Louth.
Nursing Homes Ireland confirmed the measures are being introduced ‘for the protection of nursing homes residents.’
The restrictions will impact on nine nursing homes in Louth, including locally: Arbour Care (Carlingford), Dealgan House Nursing Home (Toberona), Moorehall Lodge (Ardee & Drogheda), St Francis Nursing Home (Dundalk), Sunhill Nursing Home (Termonfeckin), Blackrock
Abbey Nursing Home and Trinity Care St Peter’s (Castlebellingham).
In a statement, Nursing Homes Ireland said: ‘We urge prospective visitors to nursing homes to be cognisant and understanding of the measure that is required in the interest of resident and staff safety.’
It continued: ‘Older people
and people in nursing homes with pre-existing medical conditions are particularly vulnerable if they contact the virus. The virus presents an unprecedented situation for our nursing homes and the care provided within them. Nursing homes are imposing the visitor restrictions in the best interests of residents and staff. All visitors are asked to contact prior to attending. Visitors should only seek to attend in urgent circumstances and the management reserve the right to impose full restrictions where necessary.’
We thank people for their understanding and patience during this period of unprecedent challenges presented by Covid19.’