Currently in lockdown, Ireland continues to take action to control the coronavirus surge. Facing a “tsunami” of new infections (due to the holiday season), the government has decided to reinstate even stricter rules. Modeled on the first lockdown in March 2020, these restrictions include the closure of schools, Irish pubs, and the halt of construction sites.
A Third Wave Worse Than the Previous Two
Irish Hospitals Are Reportedly Overwhelmed
It’s a tough but necessary decision. This was the message delivered by Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin to the public:
“From today and at least until the end of January, all schools must remain closed and teaching will be conducted online. The virus has put Irish hospitals ‘under siege.’ We are facing a tsunami of infections,” he declared.
The numbers speak for themselves: hospitals are currently treating over 921 patients, a figure well above that of the first wave in March 2020.
“The virus has reached a point where we simply must stop as much movement as possible across the country.”
Thanks to its island status, Ireland aims to better control the epidemic through strict restrictions.
Irish residents are urged to stay home and limit travel to within a 3km radius of their homes, only for essential needs. Those who can work remotely are also encouraged to do so.
Vaccination campaigns are also ramping up.
Ireland has recorded 2,299 deaths since the pandemic began and over 121,540 confirmed cases. These figures suggest a particularly “dark” January, according to Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. There is widespread concern that Irish hospitals may be overwhelmed and that intensive care units might struggle to manage the situation.
In response, the Irish government has also banned arrivals from Great Britain and South Africa, two countries affected by Covid-19 variants. These variants are believed to be more contagious than the original strain, requiring extra vigilance from Ireland.
As a result, travelers from these countries must now present a negative test taken within 72 hours prior to entering Ireland.
Finally, Leo Varadkar expressed caution regarding the potential reopening of Irish pubs. He suggested they might not reopen before April at the earliest. This announcement has hit pub owners hard, who have already been struggling for nearly 11 months due to the crisis.
