Face mask rules and health measures in all Irish retailers from this week including Penneys and IKEA

Thousands of Irish retailers are opening today as part of phase two of Ireland's reopening plan.

Shops all over the country will be opening for the first time since March with many differences in store since then.

Social distancing is essential in all shops as well as other strict hygiene measures.

While some shops will expect you to wear face masks, although Government guidelines state they aren't mandatory.

Here's all the rules you are expected to follow in retail stores across Ireland as they reopen.

Retail health rules and measures in stores

Essential rules for all shops

All shops are expected to follow this list of rules;

• protective screens and barriers
• operating new queueing approaches
• limiting the number of customers and staff in the store at any one time
• providing cleaning stations
• increasing store cleaning and hygiene
• considering changes to store layouts to facilitate social distancing
• closing changing room facilities
• controlling the number of individuals that staff and customers interact with at any one time
• introducing frequent cleaning of customer touchpoints and providing hand sanitiser at entrance and exit points
• limiting customer handling of stock - for example, through different display methods, new signage or rotation of high-touch stock
• storing items that have been returned or handled extensively (footwear) in a separate room for 72 hours before displaying them on the shop floor
• removing seating areas (with exception of those for people with mobility or disability requirements)
• extending opening hours to reduce crowding
• implementing car park restrictions

Face masks

Face masks are not essential in Ireland but are recommended in some scenarios such as when in enclosed shops;

Shoppers (Collins)

• when staying 2 metres apart from people is difficult - for example, in shops, shopping centres or public transport
• by people visiting the homes of those who are cocooning
• by people who are being visited in their homes by those who are cocooning.

Penneys and IKEA face mask rules

Face masks will be available to staff in Penneys but not compulsory while the same rules will apply to customers.

IKEA will again not make the wearing of face masks compulsory although Government advice suggests you should wear one in store if you can.