In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland, the Irish government introduced various public health and economic measures to mitigate its impact.
The virus reached the country in late February 2020 and cases soon confirmed in all counties. The government shut schools, childcare facilities and cultural institutions on 12 March 2020. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced the first stay-at-home order on 27 March, which banned all non-essential travel and contact with others.
Infections and deaths dropped to low levels by summer 2020 and restrictions were gradually lifted. Across the country, social distancing measures, self-isolation laws for those exposed to the virus and rules on face masks were introduced, as well as efforts to expand COVID-19 testing and tracing. In autumn and winter 2020, nationwide lockdowns were introduced in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases and the Alpha variant. A COVID-19 vaccination programme began in December 2020. In mid-2021, the government lifted restrictions during the fourth wave driven by the Delta variant, until further restrictions were reintroduced in response to the Omicron variant in December that year. Remaining restrictions were lifted from 28 February 2022 under a Living with COVID-19 plan announced by the government in early 2022.
Initial response (February–March 2020) The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), a group within the Department of Health, began monitoring the spread of the virus before it was confirmed to have reached Ireland.
On 12 March 2020, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced from Washington, D.C.—where he was meeting U.S. President Donald Trump—measures intended to stop COVID-19 spreading, including the closure of all schools, universities and childcare facilities from the following day, as well as the closure of all cultural institutions and the cancellation of "all indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor mass gatherings of more than 500 people". After returning home earlier than anticipated from his visit to the United States, Taoiseach Varadkar addressed the nation on Saint Patrick's Night during A Ministerial Broadcast by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, TD, introducing television viewers to the concept of "cocooning". The speech, which Varadkar made under Section 112 of the Broadcast Act, was the most watched television event in Irish history, surpassing the previous record held by The Late Late Toy Show by an additional total of about 25% and was widely distributed globally. It was also plagiarised by Peter Bellew, the chief operating officer at British low-cost airline group EasyJet.
On 15 March, the Government ordered bars and public houses to close and advised against house parties.
On 24 March, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced from Government Buildings the extension of all existing measures until 19 April—as well as stricter measures, among which were: the limiting of social gatherings to four people (unless members of the same household); the shutting of all non-essential retail outlets still open—effective from midnight—bringing an official end to hairdressing, theatres, gyms, leisure centres, betting offices, marts and other market places, casinos and bingo halls, playgrounds, holiday caravan parks, organised indoor and outdoor social events of any kind, including all sport (some of which, such as horse racing, was then still being held behind closed doors); the limitation of cafes and restaurants to takeaway and delivery services. Varadkar stopped short of calling it a "lockdown", the term used in other countries.
First national lockdown (March–May 2020) On the evening of Friday 27 March, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar gave a live televised speech to the nation during which he announced further restrictions on public activity and Ireland's first stay-at-home order. He said that all people must stay at home until 12 April (Easter Sunday) from the following midnight with the following exemptions: to travel to and from work (essential work only); shopping for food or household goods; to attend medical appointments or collect medicines or related products; for vital family reasons, such as caring for a relative; to take brief exercise within 2 km of home; for farming purposes, such as food production or care of animals. Department of the Taoiseach official Liz Canavan later clarified that the movement restrictions also did not apply to anyone trying to avoid "risk of harm", including those attempting to evade domestic abuse. All public or private gatherings of any number of people outside a residence were prohibited. More non-essential shops and services were shut, adult community education centres and local community centres were shut. All non-essential surgery, health procedures and other non-essential health services was postponed. All visits to hospitals, other residential healthcare facilities and prisons would cease, with specific exemptions on compassionate grounds. Shielding, or cocooning, of those over 70 years of age, or those regarded as being in specific categories of vulnerable people, was introduced. Minister for Transport Shane Ross confirmed that, following Varadkar's announcement of 28 March, driving tests and NCTs would be suspended, stating that it was "critical that we give drivers as well as operators of commercial vehicles peace of mind in relation to the status of their licence, learner permit, NCT certificate or certificate of roadworthiness, especially if it has expired or is likely to expire during the period of the COVID-19 health crisis". On 6 June, Minister for Transport Shane Ross announced that NCT and DTT service centres would reopen from 8 June.
On 10 April (Good Friday), Varadkar announced that the measures introduced on 27 March would be extended until at least 5 May.
On 1 May, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced the extension of the current restrictions to 18 May at the earliest.
Lifting the first lockdown and regional restrictions (May–September 2020)
On 1 May 2020, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced a roadmap to easing restrictions in Ireland that included five stages and was adopted by the government.
On 5 June, Varadkar announced a series of changes to the government's roadmap of easing COVID-19 restrictions in Ireland, which he summed up as: "Stay Local".
On 12 June, Varadkar announced that travel restrictions remain in place and that nobody should leave Ireland for the purpose of tourism or leisure.
On 19 June, Varadkar announced a further re-configuration of the government's roadmap of easing COVID-19 restrictions with hairdressers, barbers, gyms, cinemas and churches reopening from 29 June.
On 7 August, the new Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced a series of regional measures for counties Kildare, Laois and Offaly following significant increases of COVID-19 cases in the three counties, which would come into effect from midnight and remain in place for two weeks. Measures include: Residents of the three counties prohibited to travel outside of their counties except for in limited circumstances including to travel to and from work. Restaurants, cafés, pubs serving food, cinemas, gyms, theatres, museums, galleries, bingo halls, casinos, betting shops, leisure centres and other indoor recreational and cultural outlets to close. All retail outlets may remain open but with strict adherence to public health guidelines, including the wearing of face coverings. All indoor gatherings restricted to 6 people and outdoor gatherings restricted to 15 people.
On 18 August, following a Cabinet meeting at Government Buildings, the Government announced six new nationwide measures because of the growing number of confirmed cases, which would remain in place until at least 13 September: All outdoor events limited to 15 people All indoor events limited to 6 people, except for religious services, weddings and businesses, such as shops and restaurants Gardaí to be given new powers to enforce rules around social gatherings in restaurants and bars serving food, and in private homes Restaurants and cafés remain open with closing times of 11.30 pm People to be advised to work from home and to avoid using public transport, unless absolutely necessary Sports events and matches revert to behind closed doors with strict avoidance of social gatherings before and after events
On 9 September, the Government announced that measures introduced on 18 August would be extended until Tuesday 15 September as a new roadmap for "living with COVID-19" would be announced, which would include a colour-coded, five-level system to indicate what public health measures would be in place in different areas of the country at any given time.
On 15 September, the Government announced a medium-term plan for living with COVID-19 that included five levels of restrictions, with the entire country at Level 2 and specific restrictions in Dublin including the postponement of the reopening of pubs not serving food.
LevelSocial & Family GatheringsWeddingsIndoor & Outdoor EventsSports Training, Matches & EventsGyms, Pools & Leisure CentresReligious ServicesRestaurants, Cafés & PubsHotels, Guesthouses & B&BsRetail & ServicesIndoor Cultural VenuesDomestic TravelPublic TransportSchools & ChildcareMaximum 10 from 3 other householdsMaximum 100 people can attendIndoor: 100/200 depending on venue size; Outdoor: 200/500 depending on venue sizeNormal training with protective measures; Matches & Events: 100 indoors/200 outdoor/500 stadiaOpen with protective measures50 people can attendOpen with protective measuresOpen with protective measuresOpen with protective measuresOpen with protective measuresNo restrictionsOff-peak hoursOpen with protective measuresMaximum 6 from 3 other householdsMaximum 50 people can attendIndoor: 50/100 depending on venue size; Outdoor: 100/200 depending on venue sizeIndoor training: pods of 6; Outdoor training: pods of 15; Matches & Events: 50 indoors/100 outdoors/200 stadiaOpen with protective measures50 people can attendGroups of 6 from up to 3 householdsOpen with protective measuresOpen with protective measuresOpen with protective measuresNo restrictions50% capacity / peak-hours prioritisedOpen with protective measuresMaximum 6 from 1 other householdMaximum 25 people can attendNo organised indoor events; Outdoor: gatherings of up to 15Indoor training: 1 individual only; Outdoor training: pods of 15 (non-contact); Matches & Events: except specific exemptionsIndividual training onlyServices move online; 25 people can attend funeralsRange of restrictions up to and including no indoor diningServices limited to residents onlyOpen with protective measuresVenues closedStay in your county50% capacity, use only when necessaryOpen with protective measuresNo visitorsMaximum 6 people can attendNo organised indoor events; Outdoor: gatherings of up to 15Indoor training: 1 individual only; Outdoor training: pods of 15 (non-contact); Matches & Events: except specific exemptionsClosedServices move online; 25 people can attend funeralsOutdoor dining (maximum 15 people), takeaway or deliveryExisting guests & essential purposes onlyPrimarily outdoor essential retail/servicesVenues closedStay in your county25% capacity, avoid public transportOpen with protective measuresNo visitorsMaximum 6 people can attendNo organised indoor/outdoor eventsIndividual training only & no eventsClosedServices move online; 10 people can attend funeralsTakeaway or delivery onlyEssential purposes onlyEssential retail onlyVenues closedStay at home, exercise within 5 km25% capacity, avoid public transportRecommendations based on situation & evidence at time
On 18 September, following an announcement at Government Buildings, Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed that Dublin would move to Level 3 restrictions from midnight and would remain in place for three weeks until 9 October.