The Mayor of the Galway City Council has confirmed that he has cancelled his proposed trip to the USA for St Patrick’s Day due to the rise of cases in Covid-19 across Seattle.
Mayor Mike Cubbard who was due to visit Seattle and New York from March 14 to 18, informed councillors of his decision at the local authority’s monthly meeting at The Galmont Hotel on Monday.
In a statement after the meeting Mayor Cubbard said; “Regarding my own travel, I have made a decision not to travel to America. I was kindly invited to our sister city in Seattle for their parade and weekend of events, as well as to New York to march with the Galway Association. However, with rising numbers of patients in Seattle it is best for me to remain here rather than potentially catch and/or spread the virus on my return.”
The news comes after the Government issued a countrywide ban on St Patrick’s Day parades.
While the mayor acknowledged the decision was an important one for public health, he said he was disappointed over the speed of the Government’s decree.
He said; “It is disappointing for so many that the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations will not take place this year. However, the decision to cancel events is the correct one. We face an unprecedented time with little to no data and history to compare this virus to. At a time when social media is so prevalent I would ask that people ensure they are taking advice from reliable sources and in particular public health experts.
“I am disappointed that it took from last Friday until mid-afternoon [Monday] for the Government to make an announcement about the parade. We need leadership and brave decision making at this uncertain time.
“I appreciate and sympathise with the many business owners around the city and county who will suffer huge losses without the festivities next week. We’ve had a difficult start to the year in terms of the weather and this outbreak of coronavirus adds further pressures on so many small local businesses.
“Again, it is a disappointment that we don’t have St Patrick’s Day festivities however public health is paramount and must be priority.”
In spite of the ban, the council voted to grant a licence for the parade.
The councillors’ decision comes after the chief executive of the council Brendan McGrath warned the members that the local authority would not be able to claim on insurance for associated equipment, such as the stage and barriers, if the council cancelled the parade.
