Sinn Féin proposed to shut all Belfast City Council leisure facilities with immediate effect during a special council meeting on COVID19. The proposal has been agreed along with measures to help protect workers.

The decision by Belfast CIty Council came despite the unclear attitude of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who is being criticised over his handling (or rather not handling) of the coronavirus emergency.

Sinn Féin Party Group Leader on Belfast City Council, Councillor Ciaran Beattie, has welcomed additional measures being taken by Council to protect the health and wellbeing from the Coronavirus outbreak.

Cllr Beattie said: "I welcomed the fact that our proposals have been accepted. In addition to the closure of leisure centres, we have also agreed to close St. Georgres Market, Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall. Parks will remain open but play grounds will be shut as a preventative measure." 

Cllr Beattie added: "We will work to retain critical services within council, with priority given to waste collection, births/deaths and marriage registration and burials/cremations with social distancing being practiced during the delivery of these services."

As a council, the Sinn Féin councillor said, "there is an obligation on us to not only protect the citizens of this city, but also our staff who provide invaluable services. These measures will form part of efforts to slow down and minimise the spread of COVID19 in Belfast."