The Orange Order has suspended its protest at Drumcree hill because of the foot-and-mouth crisis.
In a statement yesterday, Portadown District Lodge No 1 said it had taken the decision "as a responsible part of the community". However, Orangemen warned that they would resume the protest, which started in July 1998, when the situation allowed.
"Portadown District, as an integral part of the local community, shares the concern of the farming community in playing its part in trying to bring the situation to a speedy conclusion," the statement said. It also called on other lodges in the Portadown District to suspend all meetings until the disease situation was resolved.
Meanwhile, Belfast's ice hockey team, the Belfast Giants, have come in for severe criticism for not calling off their weekend matches. The Agriculture Minister, Ms Brid Rodgers, said she was particularly concerned that the game against the Cardiff Devils was going ahead on Saturday as many supporters were expected to travel from Wales.
"The Giants are not showing the responsible attitude being shown right across the sporting spectrum. I am very concerned that they haven't recognised the seriousness of the situation and are not heeding the advice given," she said.
The Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon, the Sports Minister, Mr Michael McGimpsey, and the Alliance Party's sports spokesman, Mr Michael Long, echoed her criticism, saying it was not in the interests of the community for the matches to go ahead.
The Giants' team coach, Mr Dave Whistle, told the BBC that he and his players were only concerned about the games.
The Church of Ireland Bishop of Clogher, the Rev Brian Hannon, has told people in rural areas not to feel guilty about not going to church because of the disease. He stressed it was important to pray for all those affected by the outbreak.
Masses at Catholic churches in the restricted zone in south Armagh were called off, and Marie Curie Cancer Care cancelled its Reflection and Hope service at Belfast's St Anne's Cathedral yesterday.
Most of the North's sporting and entertainment events were cancelled over the weekend.