Coronavirus in Ireland: Ireland’s Cities Begin to Look Like Ghost Towns as Nation Prepares for Level 5 Lockdown

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The VILLAGES of Ireland began to resemble ghost towns as the nation prepared for the Level 5 lockdown starting at midnight tomorrow.

Last minute shoppers today raided what was left of street stalls in Dublin, below, and queued around the block to stock up on non-essentials like Aldo, which was offering a 50% discount at a closing sale.

Deserted Moore Street in Dublin city center — Deserted Moore Street in Dublin City CenterCredit: PA: Press Association

Aldo made a closing sale of 50 percentCredit: Paul Sharp The Sun Dublin

A closed flower stall on Henry Street in Dublin city centerCredit: PA: Press Association

Stores that do not sell essentials must close for the next six weeks.

The Health Department has also confirmed that 1,269 new cases of the virus have been confirmed.

Currently, 315 people receive treatment in the Republic’s acute hospitals, and 34 people receive care in intensive care units.

The 13 deaths recorded today have been said to be recent.

LAG COVID

The medical director has said that during the next week to ten days the cases will continue to increase.

Dr. Holohan said: “Some of the trends that we will see, even if we say, over the next week, 10 days, the cases that will be identified during that time period have probably already recovered.

“Many of the people who will be admitted to the hospital in the next week or 10 days are people who already have infections and have not yet developed symptoms.

“Therefore, we will not be surprised to see a continued increase in rates over the next week, at least 10 days.

“What we would really be waiting to see is in the second or third week of this, to begin to see the effects of that change.

THE HOPE OF THE CMO

“But considering there is a lag between what we see in terms of the cases that present themselves and their diagnosis, and then the resulting hospitalization and finally the mortality.”

The Medical Director said he believes the “vast majority” of people will meet the Level 5 guidelines.

He said that “acceptance of the latest guidelines will be a” great challenge “to overcome.

Holohan said: “We have a more than significant opportunity to take advantage of the decisions taken by the government that force us all to accept that advice and work together for six weeks.

“We think we can do this, we think we can bring it down to where it was in the first wave and keep it under control.

“The work that we do at NPHET will monitor this disease, if we get off track, we will have to make more considerations.

‘BIG CHALLENGE’

“But I think we will make it.”

Dr. Holohan said there have been a “significant” number of deaths reported today, all of which took place in the past few days.

He said the impact the infection is having is increasing, and said “substantial” changes are being seen in the rate of hospitalization.

LEVEL 5 LOCKOUT RESTRICTIONS

This is the complete list of Level 5 restrictions in effect for a six-week period beginning at midnight on Wednesday, October 21.

People are asked to stay in their homes and work from home unless providing an essential service.
People who are allowed to exercise within a 5km limit of their home, but face a penalty for moving outside this radius, except for essential work or purposes.
Schools, early learning, and child care services remain open.
Non-contact sports training can continue for school-age children outdoors in groups of 15.
Visits to other people’s homes or gardens are not allowed, except to a home in your support bubble.
Meetings with another household are allowed in an outdoor setting other than a home or garden, such as a park.
Social or family gatherings other than weddings and funerals cannot be held indoors or outdoors.
Retail and essential services remain open.
Public transportation operates at 25 percent of its capacity.
Elite sports, the GAA championship, horse racing and greyhound racing continue behind closed doors.
Wet bars, cafes, restaurants and pubs can only offer take away service.
Dublin’s wet pubs are closed.
Hotels, guesthouses, and B & Bs remain open, but only to support essential services.
Medically vulnerable people over 70 years old were asked to stay home as long as possible, to limit participation to a very small network for a short distance of time and to maintain a distance of 2 meters. You were asked to shop during designated hours.
Religious services performed online.
Museums, galleries, and cultural attractions remain closed, while libraries are available online only.
Parks and outdoor play areas remain open with protective measures.
Visits to long-term residential care facilities are suspended, except in critical situations or compassionate circumstances.