COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland
The COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland is a part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In Ireland, it has resulted in 1,735,690 cases and 9,707 deaths, as of 13 April 2024.[5][3]
For Northern Ireland, see COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland.COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland
29 February 2020 (4 years, 1 month, 3 weeks and 4 days ago)
As of 13 April 2024
0.56%
89.4% of those who died were aged over 65 and 76% had underlying illnesses[7] with a median age of death at 82 years old.[8][9] During 2020 and 2021, the country had one of the world's lowest excess death rates, which is an overall indicator of the pandemic's impact, at an estimated 12.5 deaths per 100,000 population.[10]
The virus first reached the country in late February 2020[11] and cases were soon confirmed in all counties.[12][13] The government first introduced public health and economic measures to mitigate its impact by shutting schools, childcare facilities and cultural institutions in March 2020.[14] Large gatherings were cancelled, including St Patrick's Day festivities.[15][16] On 27 March, the first stay-at-home order banned all non-essential travel and contact with others.[17][18][19] People were made to keep apart in public, and those most at risk were told to cocoon.[20] The Oireachtas passed an emergency act giving the state far-reaching powers to control the virus's spread,[21] and the Gardaí given powers to enforce the lockdown.[22]
The state's first lockdown in 2020 was the longest in Europe, especially for hospitality and retail.[23] It caused a severe recession[24] and an unprecedented rise in unemployment.[25] Infections and deaths dropped to low levels by June and restrictions were gradually lifted, while schools remained closed for summer break. Pubs that served food were allowed to reopen in late June. However, "wet" pubs, or pubs that do not serve food, could not reopen until September. Ireland had the longest closure of pubs compared to other countries in Europe.[26]
In October 2020, another statewide lockdown was imposed following a surge in cases, excluding schools.[27][28] There was another surge in late December 2020,[29] and on Christmas Eve, another statewide lockdown was imposed.[30] This was soon tightened to include schools, and was one of the strictest in the world.[31] The vaccination programme began on 29 December,[32][33] and has been praised as one of the most successful rollouts in the world.
In February 2021, the government imposed testing and quarantine rules on incoming travellers for the first time.[34] Infections fell sharply, and schools re-opened in March. The lockdown was gradually lifted from May, but unlike most of Europe, indoor hospitality remained shut.[35] Infections rose again in July due to the Delta variant but there were fewer deaths. Indoor hospitality reopened under strict rules, while vaccinations sped up.[36] Despite Ireland's high vaccination rate, there was another surge in late 2021 due to the Omicron variant, with record-breaking cases being reported. Proof of vaccination or non-infection became mandatory to enter most indoor venues, but the government imposed another curfew on indoor hospitality from 20 December. Cases fell sharply, and the majority of restrictions, including mandatory mask wearing and social distancing, were eased in January and February 2022.[37][38]
As well as the major strain on Ireland's healthcare service, the pandemic measures severely damaged Ireland's economy, disrupted education and had far-reaching impacts on society, including politics, religion, crime, the arts and sports. In May 2023, it was announced by the Director-General of the World Health Organization that COVID-19 was no longer a public health emergency of international concern.[39] In September 2023, in response to lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Irish government approved the establishment of a new health agency focused on infectious diseases, pandemic preparedness, and other emerging public health threats, based on recommendations from the Public Health Reform Expert Advisory Group.[40]
Irish butcher implementing ad hoc social distancing measures.
Supermarket: a one-way system, instructions on social distancing, disposable gloves, trolley cleaning supplies.
Temporary protection for employees deployed in a grocery store during the pandemic.
Pharmacy where the door has been replaced with a hatch for exchanging goods.
People queueing at an Irish supermarket, March 2020; strips of black tape on the ground to demarcate 2-metre gaps.
An Irish paramedic en route to a so-called "query case" during the pandemic in Ireland.
Two pints of stout delivered fresh from a pub. The delivery service of pints was a novel innovation of the pandemic in Ireland. The Garda Síochána—upon taking legal advice—confirmed that there was no law against the service.[135][136]
![Two pints of stout delivered fresh from a pub. The delivery service of pints was a novel innovation of the pandemic in Ireland. The Garda Síochána—upon taking legal advice—confirmed that there was no law against the service.[135][136]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/Pandemic_pints.jpg/120px-Pandemic_pints.jpg)
A principal and vice-principal greet returning students on the first day of school, September 2020.
Floor physical distancing sign in an Irish store, amidst Christmas merchandise, in October 2020.
Prevented from attending a funeral, mourners line the main street of Maynooth to pay their respects to the departed, December 2020.
Electronic traffic sign, ahead of Saint Patrick's Day 2021, urging people to stay at home during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Pass Freely mural by Asbestos. It was commissioned by the Hugh Lane Gallery as a tribute to those who died in the pandemic.
Mall sign on New Year's Eve, 31 December 2021, indicating the need for continued hand hygiene, social distancing and making use of one flow system.
A COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Record Card issued by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in January 2022.
This public sign at a Pitch and putt venue, in June 2023, approximately 3 years and 3 months since the virus first made its official arrival in the country.
