The meeting planned for St. Patrick's Day at the White House between Joe Biden and Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin was canceled on Thursday after a European ruler tested positive for Covid-19 in Washington the day before, but it became clear that the US president was not affected.
The scheduled meeting at the Oval Office between the two leaders was canceled and replaced by a video conference session after the Irish, known as Taoiseach, had to withdraw.
In addition, the White House canceled the annual St. Patrick's Day event in which the Prime Minister of Ireland presented a bowl of clover grown in Ballinskelligs in southwestern Ireland to the President of the United States. This time, Biden will “hold a St. Patrick's Day event” without Taoiseach, the White House explained.
On Wednesday night, Martin was photographed sitting next to the House Speaker (Lower) Democrat Nancy Pelosi at the Irish Fund Gala at the National Construction Museum in Washington, but shortly after, he was withdrawn due to a positive PCR test.
Biden was at the same dinner, but a White House official said that the president was not considered to be in danger and was not tested.
“Since he is not in close contact with (Martin), the test cadence will not change,” the official said.
A spokesman for the Irish government claimed that Martin's positive test followed two negative tests, including Wednesday.
Martin, who is staying at Blair House, a White House guest facility, “feels good and is currently isolated for public health advice,” according to the Irish government.
sms///rsr