It appears to be lockdown time for some parts and workers in Ireland.
Yesterday Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that schools, colleges and childcare facilities were to close to contain the coronavirus.
Cultural institutions are also set to close. Varadkar said that indoor gatherings of more than 100 people should be cancelled while outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled.
People who can work from home were encouraged to do so rather than going into the office.
While shops and restaurants are to remain open, an onslaught of Irish people turned to panic buying in supermarkets yesterday.
With all these effect in place, #IrelandLockdown is now trending on Twitter.
Some are suggesting you be responsible when buying.
#IrelandLockdown spare a thought for the nurses when you are panic buying. I’m out to work at 6am with no bread on the table, 12 hour shifts to emerge at 9pm to empty shelves in shops. Remember that when you are self isolating warm in your bed with too many loaves in the kitchen.
— Scotfree (@scottmcneil3) March 13, 2020
Shop local... small independent shops need you to do this. Local cafés and restaurants also need business... maybe consider buying a voucher for use at a later date and then bring friends with you when you go to use it and spend a little more? #IrelandLockdown #Covid_19
— Tara 🧪 🇪🇺 (@TaralyonG) March 13, 2020
Others suggest you consider those in retail at this time.
Never again call retail staff "unskilled workers". Some of them are counselling worried shoppers, policing hygiene, getting abuse & still coping & working very long hours this week, despite everything. All work is skilled. #IrelandLockdown
— Fiona Kenny (@FionaKenny1) March 13, 2020
Many are choosing to look on the bright side and stay optimistic.
So much solidarity to our front line health care professionals. They are under tremendous pressure at the best of times, cannot imagine what conditions they will face in the next few weeks and months. Thank you for looking after us! #Coronavirus #CoronaIreland #IrelandLockdown
— Máirtin Flannery (@BallyMairtin) March 13, 2020
They’ll get some land😂First Day of Home School surprise for my two students. A memorable Friday the 13th😂 #IrelandLockdown #Covid_19 pic.twitter.com/sjUZvkNstt
— Michelle Culloty (@MichelleCullot1) March 13, 2020
Can you imagine the baby boom after this....#coronavirusireland #IrelandLockdown #Covid_19
— Ailish (@eyelashmcg) March 13, 2020
7up Free is not going to kill the #coronavirus 🤦♂️
It has to be the original flavour #IrelandLockdown pic.twitter.com/FUM6QPAeej— Some Dad (@_SomeDad) March 13, 2020
Though some stories are more disappointing.
Bit disappointed that gov is saying work from home, and childcare closed, but my big Irish company is still saying come to work (even though job can be done remotely) and make alternative childcare arrangements or take leave #IrelandLockdown
— @cáilíochta (@wanderingpram) March 13, 2020
Another reason people panic is fearmongering headlines - the only somewhat decent one is the Irish Independent. We can leave the house & be sensible & we can shop so; "a nation on the brink"/"Ashopalypse now" - cop yourselves on, a-holes.#IrelandLockdown #Covid_19 #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/eKXlU1VLZX
— Claire O (@clairebear785) March 13, 2020
Some surreal photos and videos are being shared too.
Important Update: #Covid_19 will not steal food from the supermarket! We are not yet in #IrelandLockdown and people already are #panicbuying - this is the situation in #Dublin South at 8:04, a good way to spread the virus. pic.twitter.com/OnFcXVCB6E
— Fabiano Pallonetto (@FPallonetto) March 13, 2020
A picture speaks 1000 words... And this one breaks my heart..
Please think of our elderly community before you start stockpiling.
Let's look out for each other, we are ALL in this thing together!#CoronavirusPandemic #CoronaOutbreak #IrelandLockdown
(Copied) pic.twitter.com/X2wJaNe0l5— Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri (@DrUmarAlQadri) March 12, 2020
#IrelandLockdown train from Drogheda to Dublin this morning pic.twitter.com/ip2tkLFKrH
— Liam O'Sullivan (@pablo4298) March 13, 2020
I think people's are on #selfisolating #IrelandLockdown or may be fear of #Friday13th. pic.twitter.com/Yf3dFCffUR
— Md firdous alam (@MdMdfirdous) March 13, 2020
#Covid_19 Quiet on the #Luas in Dublin this morning. #IrelandLockdown pic.twitter.com/SR9IRMADaq
— Declan Duke (@DeclanMDuke) March 13, 2020