The carbon monoxide levels will be noticably lower and the air will lack that memorable sound of fife and drum this July in Northern Ireland as the Orange Order have opted to cancel the marching parades on July 12.
The deeply divisive parades are an annual flashpoint for sectarian tension of the north of the border, as members of the Unionist commnity's parade in the day and burn bonfires in the night.
However Edward Stevenson, grand master of the Grand Orange Order of Ireland today released a statement saying that the parades in Northern Ireland could not go ahead this year due to concerns around the spread of Covid-19.
"It is with regret that I must cancel the 2020 Boyne Anniversary Parades,” Stevenson said.
“In the face of the growing crisis surrounding Coronavirus it is in the best interests of our members, their families and the wider community that this decision has been made.
“In the current circumstances, the gathering of hundreds of thousands of Orangemen and women, together with their accompanying bands and spectators, would not be responsible.
“I appreciate that our culture and traditions are very much a way of life for the Orange family, however, in light of the current situation, we must prioritise the safety of not only our members, but of the entire community.
“For some, the coming days will be extremely painful. We must bear in mind that for many people there will be no return of normal life. They will have lost loved ones.
“The Orange Family has already lost members to this terrible virus whilst others are currently in hospital. I would encourage you to pray for all those who have been or will be affected by the Coronavirus and for those in our health service and other essential jobs who are working so hard to fight it.”
All of this raises a serious question, if we can't have a July 12th parade, how are we going to have a Munster championship?
