Dublin Pride has today (March 11) issued a statement about plans for the festival and the Parade in response to the growing concern over coronavirus.

Festival Director Jed Dowling released the following statement:

“Dublin Pride is working closely with the Department of Health, the HSE, Dublin City Council and our International Pride colleagues in the planning of our annual Pride Parade, currently scheduled for June 27.

“The board and management of Dublin Pride are very mindful of the current situation regarding coronavirus (Covid-19) and of our responsibility to act in the best interests of the community. We will follow all advice given by the relevant authorities and are contingency planning for the possibility that the date may need to move out.”

Dowling continued “It’s important to remember that Pride is more than one day. The very earliest Pride events in Dublin were attended by just a handful of people, and while we are best known for our Parades and Marches, it was these small events where we supported and helped each other in difficult times that made us what we are today. For many vulnerable people the next few weeks may be particularly difficult, remember to check in on your friends regularly, look after your own mental health and be aware of all the resources available if you feel lonely or isolated.”

The organisers of the hugely popular Mother Pride Block Party, one of the highlights of Dublin Pride celebrations, have also released a statement: “The Mother team are working closely with Dublin Pride and will continue to liaise with the relevant authorities including the HSE and Dublin City Council to ensure all actions taken are in the best interest of our customers and our community.

“We will follow all advice given by the relevant authorities and are putting contingency plans in place for a date reschedule should it be necessary. We are family, and we’re in this together.

Big love, Cormac, Lisa and the Mother DJs.”

Last year’s Dublin Pride Parade was the largest in history with tens of thousands in attendance.

Earlier this week, it was announced that St Patrick’s Day parades across Ireland were also cancelled following advice from public health officials.

It is likely that other large events will follow suit and cancel or delay large gatherings as a preventative measure.

At present, there have been 50 confirmed cases of the coronavirus (Covid-19) on the island of Ireland.

The HSE has not disputed projections that up to 1.9 million people in the Republic may become infected, however, the Head of the Department of International Health and Tropical Medicine at the RCSI, Sam McConkey, says he’s confident the outbreak can be curtailed.

To stop the spread of the virus, public health officials advise the public to do the following:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at a time
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or if not a tissue, use your sleeve
• Avoid contact with those already unwell