Coronavirus: Taoiseach says public gatherings such as St Patrick’s Day parades will not be cancelled

Speaking following a stakeholder meeting with health officials on Friday, he said: “We are not recommending at this stage that any major events be cancelled but this of course will be kept under review.”

The St Patrick’s Day festival in Dublin is still set to go ahead despite the Coronavirus outbreak.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed on Friday afternoon after a COVID-19 stakeholder meeting that the government had no plans to limit mass gatherings.