The Government today announced that all non-essential retail outlets should close to help flatten the coronavirus curve.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar revealed the latest measures at a Government address to the country at 4pm.
But what exactly is considered essential and non-essential? The National Public Health Emergency Team have listed the following as essential and therefore they can stay open while implementing social distancing.
Essential retail outlets
- Retail and wholesale sale of food, beverages and newspapers in non-specialised and specialised stores.
- Retail sale of household consumer products necessary to maintain the safety and sanitation of residences and businesses.
- Pharmacies/chemists.
- Opticians/Optometrists.
- Retail sale of selling medical and orthopaedic goods in specialised stores.
- Fuel stations and heating fuel providers.
- Retailers involved in the repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycle repair and related facilities.
- Retail sale of essential items for the health and welfare of animals, including animal feed and medicines, animal food, pet food and animal supplies including bedding.
- Laundries and Drycleaners.
- Banks, Post Offices and Credit Unions.
- Retail sale of safety supply stores.
- Hardware stores, builder's merchants and stores that provide hardware products necessary for home and business maintenance, sanitation and farm equipment, supplies and tools essential for gardening/farming/agriculture.
- Retail sale of office products and services for individuals working from home and for businesses.
- Retailers providing electrical, IT and phone sales, repair and maintenance services for home.
Social distancing measures required
Ensure adequate distancing between customers and retail assistants in line with public health guidelines.
Only let people into stores in small groups and ensure spaces are not crowded.
Manage queues inside and outside the door to maintain necessary social distancing.
All retail outlets are encouraged to designate certain times of the day to facilitate vulnerable groups who may need to use their services.
Where practicable and in so far as is possible, parents are encouraged to limit bringing their children with them when visiting essential retail outlets.
All retailers are encouraged to provide on-line services where that is possible and appropriate to minimise footfall.
All such retailers are encouraged to offer contactless payment arrangements.
All other retailers can continue to operate if they can do so on an on-line basis having regard to general social distancing measures appropriate to all workplaces.
