St Patrick's Day parades right across Northern Ireland have been cancelled over fears of coronavirus .
Belfast City Council was the first to cancel this years St Patrick’s Day parade amid fears of spreading the virus on Monday night.
On Tuesday, Derry City and Strabane District Council announced that they had cancelled their celebrations as a "precautionary" measure.
In a statement, Mayor for Derry and Strabane Council, Michaela Boyle said: “The safety of Council staff and the general public are as always paramount and although official advice on the cancellation of public events has yet to be issued, felt that this would be a sensible response to what is a growing concern.
“Council will continue to adhere to the health advice being issued in relation to all its activities and events, and take proactive measures to assist in the containment of Coronavirus and the protection of the general health and wellbeing of all local citizens.
“I would also urge people to be mindful of protecting themselves and others by heeding the guidance with regards to hygiene and wash hands regularly following the advice of the Public Health Agency.”
Parades in Newry and Downpatrick have also been cancelled, while other currently remain under review - including celebrations in Armagh .
The statement read: “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has taken the decision this morning to cancel the St Patrick’s Day Parades due to be held in Downpatrick and Newry on March 17.
"This decision has been made in consultation with party leaders and is in line with the recent cancellations of St Patrick’s Day parades elsewhere.
"The Council appreciates the negative impact this decision may have on local businesses at this time, however this decision has been taken as a precaution given our Members’ and the public's concern around the coronavirus response.”
Meawhile, in the Republic of Ireland, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that all planned celebrations would not go ahead next week.
There is now 40 total cases of the virus on the island of Ireland, with 16 in Northern Ireland and 24 in the Republic.
