Leeds St Patrick's Day Parade to go ahead this weekend despite coronavirus fears

In line with government guidance, Leeds City Council chiefs said the authority "isn't currently advising stopping or limiting public gatherings".

The stance means events such as this weekend's St Patrick's Day parade, when up to 3,000 people are expected to descent on the city centre, are to go ahead as scheduled.

Yet reports emerged from Ireland yesterday that Dublin had cancelled its annual St Patrick's Day parade amid fears about the spread of coronavirus.

And earlier in the day, Cork announced it was also cancelling its parade, the second largest in the country attracting up to 50,000 people.

But a Leeds City Council spokesman said they are continuing to follow official guidance from the Government and added: "As a large local authority, it’s important we follow this advice and don’t send mixed messages to the public."

He added: "In the meantime, anyone with flu-symptoms should avoid the risk of spreading their infection, whatever that infection may be, by staying at home and recovering."

Eddie Lavelle, vice-chairman of the St Patrick's Day Parade, said he expected between 2,000 and 3,000 people to attend the event on Sunday March 15.

A colourful parade of nine floats will set off Millennium Square at 11am before returning at 11.45am for an afternoon of family fun until 4pm.

He said: "It's all still on - we've not heard anything different. We're expecting maybe 2-3,000 people as a guide, dependent on the weather. It should be a good day."

It is also business as usual at venues such as the arena, which seats over 13,000 people.

A statement on its website referred to the latest government advice and stressed that the risk to individuals in the UK remains low and "our events continue as normal".

It said: "The wellbeing of all our visitors and staff members is our number one priority", adding: "We are closely monitoring the situation and following advice from the Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England.

"All visitors and staff are being asked to follow the current guidelines on maintaining personal hygiene."

The city's universities are also encouraging staff and students to continue as normal - unless they have recently travelled to at-risk areas.

At Leeds Beckett University, a statement on its website said: "The university takes the health of students and colleagues very seriously. We are carefully monitoring the situation and will issue further advice and guidance as it becomes available.

"In the meantime, students and colleagues are encouraged to continue their university business as normal."

Both Leeds Beckett and the University of Leeds' websites issued the government's guidance to students needing to isolate themselves if returning from Hubei Province, Iran or specific 'lockdown' towns in northern Italy.

The isolation lasts for 14 days, with the University of Leeds then stating: "You may resume normal University and social activities at the end of the 14-day period provided that you have not developed a fever, difficulty in breathing or a cough."