A petition has been launched calling for the cancellation of this year's St Patrick Day parade over fears it will spread the coronavirus to the Irish capital.
Concerned Dubliners started the petition which calls for the Government and the HSE to cancel the festive event in the city.
Some 500,000 people attend the city's parade every year, with many travelling to the event from overseas.
The parade was cancelled due the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in 2001.
Several Dublin natives speaking to 98FM's Dublin Talks called for similar action next month.
One concerned caller, Mark, said: "I think it's probably the best option. I've seen it spread to Tenerife.
"If it did move over here, we just don't have the resources... I think one day out of the year isn't gonna hurt us where we don't celebrate something."
Another woman, Bernie, also supported cancelling the parade, saying: "Needs be needs do, that's the way I see it.
"Just for once take one step back. What's the harm?"
A St. Patrick's Festival spokesman told Dublin Live: “St. Patrick’s Festival is monitoring the situation regarding COVID-19 and will continue to do so. We follow the advice and direction of relevant authorities in all matters of public safety.”
In Italy, many regions are banning public events to prevent the virus from spreading further.
Lombardy’s ban on public events have extended to masses, while Milan's Gothic Cathedral has been closed to visitors.
There are currently no travel bans on Italy except for flight restrictions to China. It is currently the worst affected European country, with 11 towns cordoned off.
There are now 80,000 cases reported around the world, with Austria and Croatia reporting their first confirmed cases today.
