Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
NO HO HO.. CHRISTMAS CANCELLED
Stormont set for new lockdown as market & surgeries off
OPERATIONS and the Christmas Market in Belfast were cancelled yesterday as a Covid-19 second wave swept away any hope of normality.
Belfast Trust announced postponed procedures and the moving of ICU beds while Stormont sat late last night to plot the measures of a new lockdown with an announcement due later today.
Medical director Chris Hagan revealed it was “necessary to move to this stage in our surge plan”. Meanwhile, the team behind the market said cancelling was “in the interests of health and safety”.
BELFAST’S Christmas Market has been cancelled for the first time in more than a decade.
The event, which normally runs from late November until just before December 25, attracts thousands of visitors each year to the grounds of City Hall.
But it too has fallen victim to the coronavirus and yesterday organisers confirmed it will not go ahead this year.
In a statement, the team behind the Belfast Christmas Market said they were left with no option.
It read: “Unfortunately despite everyone’s best
efforts, in the interests of public health and safety it has been decided that it will not be appropriate to go ahead with the event this year.
“Obviously we are very disappointed, this will be the first time in 15 years that Market Place has not had a presence in the city.
“However, given the current health crisis we do believe this is the correct decision.
“Wishing you all well and thanking you for your continued support. We hope you have an amazing
Christmas and hopefully we will see you next year.
“Kind regards Allan and the Team”