The main Dublin St Patrick's Day parade is to be called off after a meeting of the cabinet sub-committee on the Coronavirus.
Opposition leaders are being briefed this afternoon on the state of play when it comes to managing the virus.
Former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Christy Burke, says it's the right decision.
"Common sense has prevailed and I'm sure there will be a great sigh of relief today," he said.
"We can always have the parade again later on in the year -- it's not about profit, it's about people, it's about their health, it's about their wellbeing."
Local parades off
The decision also rules out parades planned in suburban areas across the city.
Festival organisers in Lucan, Clondalkin and Tallaght have all confirmed they're cancelling events.
"Unfortunately due to the outbreak of Covid-19 and the risk to public health the 2020 Patricks Day Parade has to be postponed until further notice," said Councillor Francis Timmons, chair of the Clondalkin parade committee. "We will inform all participants and Sponsors by email over the next 24 hours.
"We know a lot of people will be disappointed by this decision but we must put public health first," he added.
"Due to the health and safety reasons around the outbreak of the virus we have no choice but to cancel the parade," said Martha Cousins, chair of the Tallaght festival organising committee.
"People don't think that it's a serious matter but we have to put the public's interests at heart when it comes to their health," she said.
"We even had people coming in from Scotland... but we have to think about safety," she said.
Authorities in Fingal have also cancelled plans for seven parades across the north county, including Swords, Balbriggan, Blanchardstown, Malahide, Skerries, Rush and Lusk.
"Fingal County Council will continue to follow the advice of the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive in dealing with the potential impact of Coronavirus (COVIT-19) on our activities and our Crisis Management Team is working to ensure that the Council is ready and prepared to deal with matters as they arise," it said in a statement.
Employers' groups will also be briefed later on sick pay for those who are forced to self-isolate because of COVID-19.
The Taoiseach has also cut short his annual trip to the US to stay in Ireland tomorrow before traveling to the White House on Wednesday.
Cork city's St Patrick's Day parade has already been called off this afternoon following a risk assessment.
