COVID-19 Information Hub

Visual Timeline of COVID-19 Events for Ireland

COVID-19 Timeline for Ireland - Transcript

2020

January 2020 - Emerging virus

27 January

The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) for COVID-19 is created to co-ordinate national response to emerging virus.

30 January

WHO declares COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

February 2020 - First case of COVID-19 in Ireland

29 February

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 is recorded in Ireland.

March 2020 - Closures follow WHO pandemic declaration

11 March

WHO declares COVID-19 a pandemic. The first death relating to COVID-19 is recorded in Ireland.

12 March

All schools, colleges and childcare facilities are ordered to close.

16 March

The Department of Social Protection (DSP) introduces the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) for people who have lost employment as a result of the pandemic.

23 March

Total confirmed cases in Ireland exceed 1,000.

26 March

Revenue introduces the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) to enable employees whose employers are affected by the pandemic to receive financial support directly from their employer.

27 March

A national 'stay at home' order is announced. Many retail outlets close, apart from essential retail outlets.

April 2020 - Cases continue to rise

13 April

Total confirmed cases in Ireland exceed 10,000.

23 April

The CSO launches first in series of social surveys to capture the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on personal well-being in Ireland.

May 2020 - Reopening begins with retail sectors

18 May

Some retail sectors reopen.

June 2020 - Reopening continues across all sectors

8 June

All remaining retail outlets reopen.

29 June

Remaining businesses reopen (including pubs serving food, cafés, restaurants, hotels, hairdressers, beauty salons and tourist attractions).

August 2020 - Restrictions re-introduced in Kildare, Laois, Offaly

7 August

Restrictions are re-introduced in Kildare, Laois and Offaly following significant increases of COVID-19 cases in the three counties.

21 August

Restrictions lifted in Laois and Offaly.

31 August

Restrictions lifted in Kildare.

September 2020 - Living with COVID-19

1 September

Revenue introduces the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), which replaces the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS).

15 September

Medium-term plan for living with COVID-19 announced, with 5 levels of restrictions outlined, from Level 1 (least restrictive) to Level 5 (most restrictive). The entire country is at Level 2.

18 September

Dublin moves to Level 3.

24 September

Donegal moves to Level 3.

October 2020 - Ireland moves to Level 3, then Level 5

6 October

Rest of Ireland joins Dublin and Donegal on Level 3.

15 October

Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan move to Level 4.

22 October

Entire country moves to Level 5.

December 2020 - Ireland moves down to Level 3, then back to Level 5

1 December

Entire country returns to Level 3, meaning non-essential retail outlets, hairdressers, gyms, leisure centers, museums, galleries, libraries, cinemas, and places of worship can reopen.

4 December

Restaurants and gastropubs reopen (pubs with no food service not allowed).

24 December

Majority of Level 5 restrictions re-introduced for entire country.

29 December

Ireland's COVID-19 vaccination programme commences.

2021

January 2021 - Level 5 restrictions continue

1 January

Full Level 5 restrictions are re-introduced nationwide. All non-essential retail and services close. People must stay at home except for work, education or other essential purposes.

3 January

Total confirmed cases in Ireland exceed 100,000.

6 January

Click and collect for non-essential retail prohibited, schools do not reopen, all non-essential construction sites close.

February 2021 - Vaccination Programme accelerates

15 February

A total of 37 locations are confirmed to be used as vaccination centres as part of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, including Croke Park, the Aviva Stadium and Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

March 2021 - Phased reopening of education

1 March

Special needs schools reopen, some primary school classes and Leaving Cert classes return.

8 March

Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) resume.

15 March

Remaining primary school classes and 5th year Secondary Level students return.

29 March

Early Learning and school aged childcare reopen.

April 2021 - Limited easing of Level 5 restrictions

12 April

Some limited easing of Level 5 restrictions, including people allowed to travel within their county.

May 2021 - Continued easing of Level 5 restrictions

4 May

Construction activity, museums, art galleries reopen.

10 May

Inter-county travel allowed, click-and-collect retail services resume.

17 May

All non-essential retail reopens.

June 2021 - Hotels and some outdoor and leisure facilities reopen

2 June

Hotels, B&Bs, self-catering and hotels reopen.

7 June

Outdoor sports matches, sports venues, cinemas, theatres, swimming pools, gyms, leisure centers, outdoor restaurant

and bar services resume.

July 2021 - Indoor dining and drinking reopen

26 July

Restaurants, cafés and bars reopen for indoor dining and drinking for the first time since December 2020.

August 2021 - Updated plans to reopen

31 August

Further reopening plan for the country are announced, with plans to ease all remaining COVID-19 restrictions by 22 October.

September 2021 - Public transport back to 100% capacity, phased return to offices

1 September

Public transport operates at 100% capacity, masks still required.

6 September

Places of worship allowed to reopen at 50% capacity, outdoor sports stadiums reopen, indoor events allowed to reopen at 60% capacity where everyone is vaccinated.

20 September

Phased return to offices begins.

October 2021 - Nightclubs reopen

22 October

After almost 600 days of closure, nightclubs reopen.

November 2021 - Advice to work from home

16 November

People advised to work from home unless attendance in work is absolutely necessary.

December 2021 - Some restrictions introduced for entertainment

3 December

Capacity limit of 50% introduced for indoor cultural and sporting events.

20 December

Introduction of 8pm closing time for bars, restaurants, live events, cinemas and theatres.

2022

January 2022 - Easing of restrictions

10 January

Total confirmed cases in Ireland exceed one million.

22 January

Almost all restrictions are eased though rules on isolating and mask-wearing are to remain in place. PUP scheme

closes to new applicants.

February 2022 - Mask-wearing no longer mandatory

28 February

Mask-wearing is no longer mandatory in most indoor settings.

April 2022 - Daily reporting of new case numbers ends

29 April

The Department of Health announces that new COVID-19 cases in Ireland will no longer be published daily.

30 April

The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) ends.

July 2022 - HSE Testing facilities to be stood down

27 July

Government accepts recommendation that all HSE COVID-19 testing facilities be stood down in the autumn.

2023

May 2023 - COVID-19 no longer a PHEIC

5 May

WHO declares COVID-19 is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

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Last updated 03 March 2025

More information on restrictions and levels, as well as a glossary of terms, can be found on the COVID-19 in Ireland: Definitions page.

Dates of COVID-19 waves as recorded by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Ireland.