PUBS and restaurants across Northern Ireland are set to close today putting "Paddy's Day on pause" on what is usually one of the biggest days for the hospitality sector.
In what is expected to be one of the quietest ever St Patrick's Days, bars from Belfast to Co Derry are to remain shut amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
The Hatfield, Errigle Inn and Laverys in south Belfast - all usually popular venues for St Patrick's Day revellers, particularly students, - are among a growing numbers of pubs to announce they will close.
It comes as all pubs and bars in the Republic were asked to shut from Sunday night until at least March 29 to tackle the outbreak. The move was taken after images emerged on social media of crowded pubs in Dublin's Temple Bar.
The Hatfield said it had taken the decision to put "Paddy's Day on pause" after "agonising for as to whether to open or close.
"As we have reflected the most important thing to us is the health and safety of our staff, customers and family," it said.
"We have therefore taken the very difficult decision to close the bar on the busiest day of the year.
"Despite our exceptional team of staff and stringent hygiene and health and safety measures we do not believe that we could adequately enforce the suggested guidance of 2 metre social distancing role on such a busy day - the Hatfield House will be closed on Tuesday 17 March.
"We would therefore encourage all our customers to celebrate St Patrick's day in a different way this year- stay at home, stay indoors and stay safe."
Another popular venue, The Errigle Inn on the Ormeau Road, said amid "growing uncertainty and fear, we, like many others, are trying to figure out what is the best way forward and what is the right thing to do".
It said in almost 85 years of business "we have never before faced such an uncertain time, we are putting the safety of our employees and customers above everything else".
"St Patrick’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year and we feel that social distancing will be impossible to safely manage," it said.
"We have decided to close from Monday 16th March at 10pm and reopen on Wednesday 18th March at 1pm."
The Botanic Inn is also postponing its celebrations and said the "safety and health of our grandparents, vulnerable friends, family, staff and wider community is paramount during this challenging time".
Lavery's said "in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic" it would not be opening its doors today, while Sunflower Public House also said it would shut as well as its sister pub, The American Bar.
In another major postponement, a St Patrick's Day rave in the former Belfast Telegraph building has been cancelled. At least 1,300 people were set to attend Shine tonight.
In Derry, St Patrick’s Day promises to be not only the quietest in years but also the driest as many pubs voluntarily close their doors to combat the coronavirus.
The city normally attracts thousands of visitors to its annual St Patrick’s Day carnival and parade.
Derry City and Strabane District Council announced last week the annual celebration would be cancelled to slow the spread of the virus.
Celebrations in Strabane were also called off and it's believed pubs across many other towns where St Patrick's parades were planned are also seto close.
There were calls last night for financial support measures to be made available immediately to address the "devastating" impact of Covid-19.
Hospitality Ulster and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) issued a joint statement asking for an urgent aid package to be introduced.
"We are now in unprecedented times and the impact of COVID19 on staff in the hospitality sector will be devastating," they said.
"This is now time for exceptional measures to be implemented."
One of Ireland's best-known restaurateurs Michael Deane echoed the calls for action as several eateries, including OX Belfast and the Muddlers Club, announced they would be closing.
"We require urgent advice on lockdown, we need to act as one as timing is now critical and the industry needs a way forward action required today," said Mr Deane.
