Irish government response to the COVID-19 pandemic

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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^[1] and cases soon confirmed in all counties.^[2] The government shut schools, childcare facilities and cultural institutions on 12 March 2020.^[3] Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced the first stay-at-home order on 27 March, which banned all non-essential travel and contact with others.^[4]

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.