Center Parcs to close due to national virus clampdown

The Center Parcs holiday resort in Ballymahon is to close for over a fortnight as a preventative measure against the Coronavirus.

In a Facebook post this afternoon (Thursday), Center Parcs Ireland said the it would be shutting its €233 million Longford Forest resort from tomorrow until Sunday, March 29.

The company said it took the decision to close as a preventative measure, and there have been no reported cases of the virus at the resort.

"In line with the government position regarding coronavirus, the decision has been taken to close Longford Forest from Friday March 13 to Sunday March 29, 2020," said Center Parcs Ireland. 

"For guests due to arrive at Longford Forest on the following dates, we will be in contact to move your break to a different date or arrange a full refund. 

"As you will appreciate, our Contact Centre team are working hard to process these changes as quickly as possible and we would ask you to wait for us to contact you, rather than calling us directly."

The announcement affects guests due to arrive at the resort on the following dates: March 13, March 16, March 20, March 23, March 27. 

"We recognise that this will be disappointing news for guests looking forward to their break and we would like to thank you for your patience and understanding in these exceptional circumstances," said the company. 

The resort - the first Center Parcs in Ireland - opened last July and since then it has accommodated more than 100,000 guests.