The government has released a list of essential retail outlets that will remain open during the coronavirus lockdown.
It comes after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced on Friday that Ireland is now in full lockdown as all non-essential trips are now banned for two weeks.
The measures begin at midnight tonight, and stay in place until Easter Sunday, April 12.
The only exceptions are for travelling to essential work, to shop for food or household goods, for healthcare appointments, and for vital family reasons.
And now a list of essential retail outlets that will be staying open during the lockdown has been released.
The list is as follows:
1. Retail and wholesale sale of food, beverages and newspapers in non-specialised and specialised stores
2. Retail sale of household consumer products necessary to maintain the safety and sanitation of residences and businesses
3. Pharmacies/Chemists and retailers providing pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical or dispensing services
4. Retail sale of selling medical and orthopaedic goods in specialised stores
5. Fuel stations and heating fuel providers
6. 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
7. Laundries and Drycleaners
8. Banks, Post Offices and Credit Unions
9. Retail sale of safety supply stores (work clothes, Personal Protective Equipment, for example)
Meanwhile, businesses that can only offer emergency call-out or delivery services are:
- opticians/optometrists
- retailers involved in the repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and bicycle repair and related facilities (tyre sales and repairs for example)
- 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.
And finally the following physical distancing measures must be adhered to at all times at these essential retail outlets:
- ensure adequate distancing between customers and shop assistants in line with public health guidelines
- only let people into the store in small groups and ensure spaces are not crowed.
- manage queue control inside and outside the door to maintain necessary physical distance.
- all Essential Retail Outlets are encouraged to provide online services where that is possible and appropriate to minimise footfall.
