Coronavirus Ireland: Summer ‘canceled’ as mass gatherings are banned until September

The summer was canceled yesterday when the blinds of all events that drew more than 5,000 people were closed.

Galway races, GAA championships, and concerts of Guns Roses n ‘Roses, Westlife, and Kings of Leon are among those eliminated by Covid-19.

The killer virus will reduce the economy by 10.5% as the unemployment rate reaches 22%.

It has claimed another 44 lives, but more than 9,000 have overcome the error.

Last night, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he will announce before May 5 what restrictions will be eased, adding: “We want to open up the parts of society that have the most benefit, but the least risk.”

MCD owner Denis Desmond, the largest live entertainment promoter in the country, said he was not surprised by the decision.

He added: “It was only a matter of time, it is correct and we have been waiting for it.

“Germany and Denmark announced these restrictions last week and it is only a matter of time before the UK announces them and Ireland does as well.”

The summer shutdown, which will mean major events like the Rose of Tralee, Galway Arts Festival or Dublin Horse Show be phased out, will cost tens of millions of euros in lost revenue.

It is another hard blow for those in the sector who have already seen their livelihoods devastated by the coronavirus.

The government issued the death sentence for all these events at the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday through a decision on licensing laws.

All major sporting and cultural events that would hold more than 5,000 people need licenses from their local authority.

But the government has decided that it will unilaterally reject all permits requested between now and the end of August.

Relief is expected when the situation is reviewed later in the summer.

The Government said: “All mass meetings have been restricted since March 24. More health tips will be updated before May 5.

However, there are a number of large-scale future events that require licensing and the involvement of HSE and Garda Siochana, and a public consultation on that licensing process that local authorities must determine before that.

“Although the issue of restrictions in future mass meetings is a decision that the National Public Health Emergency Team must make, in the case of these particular events, and taking into account the impacts on the integrity of the licensing process Short-term Due to restrictions on stakeholder participation, the government has informed local authorities that event promoters should be informed that events requiring licenses over 5,000 will not be considered for the period until the end of August.

“This will be kept under review in line with NPHET’s advice on mass meetings in general.”