Is the Saint Patrick’s Parade in Dublin a risk for its participants given the current Coronavirus situation? This is what some Dubliners seem to think, having just launched a petition.
The petition is directly addressed to the government and has already gathered several thousand signatures.
Coronavirus Concerns Grow in Ireland
The St Patrick’s Festival Organizers of Dublin’s Grand Parade Stay Cautious but Avoid Alarmism
The petition’s goal is clear: to request the cancellation of this year’s Dublin Saint Patrick’s Parade, fearing it could become a hotspot for Coronavirus spread. The request is based on the fact that the event gathers up to 500,000 people annually within the city. These crowds, packed behind barriers, come from Ireland but also from around the world. This raises health concerns among some locals, worried about a domino effect given the virus’s contagiousness.
In response, the city’s Saint Patrick’s Festival has reassured:
We are monitoring the situation regarding COVID-19 and will continue to do so. Rest assured, we are following the advice and guidelines of the relevant authorities on all matters of safety and public health. At this time, cancelling the parade is not being considered. However, we remain vigilant.
This reassuring message may still struggle to calm the most worried. We will keep you updated in the coming days on the parade’s status this year.
Either way, cancelled or not, the festive activities for Saint Patrick’s Day in Dublin are plentiful! If the parade doesn’t take place, you’ll still have many other opportunities to celebrate a memorable Saint Patrick’s Day!
