Ikea are to reopen its two Dublin stores next week after the Government announced a major easing of lockdown restrictions.
The Swedish home-furnishing giant's Ballymun store and order and collection point in Carrickmines will open their doors again on Monday, June 8.
The stores voluntarily closed their doors in March prior to the announcement of lockdown.
The reopened stores will have a raft of safety measures in place, including a limit on the number of customers in-store and the introduction of Social Distance Wardens.
Martyn Allan, Market Manager for Ikea Dublin, said: “We’re looking forward to warmly welcoming customers and co-workers back into our stores in the Republic of Ireland from 8 June.
"Their health and safety remains our top priority, and that’s why we’ve put in place extensive measures to ensure the safety and comfort of customers and co-workers.
"While the experience might be a little different to before – it’s the same IKEA, with the same vision to 'create a better everyday life for the many people' and the ambition to inspire people through our brilliant affordable range and home furnishing solutions.
"Throughout lockdown, we’ve had the unique privilege of being a part of people’s everyday lives at home, and we want to thank our co-workers and customers for their support over the recent weeks."
These new measures include:
- Limited numbers of customers granted entry in store at any one time, with a limit of two people per customer group
- A staggered entry system and restricted car parking will be in place, with support from local Gardai
- Social Distance Wardens throughout the store to help customers find their way round the new one-way system and ensure new social distancing measures are being followed
- Customers are urged to come prepared with ready-made lists and their own bags, and those wishing purely to return items, are encouraged to do so at a later date. Ikea has a 365 day returns policy
- Additional hand sanitiser facilities and more frequent deep cleaning routines for bags, trolleys, bathrooms, rest areas, equipment and touchscreens
- Screens at key areas such as checkouts, service points and customer returns, to enable social distancing
- Planning services will only be available online
- Cashless payments only, by card and contactless
- All play areas will remain closed, as will the customer restaurant and cafe
- Swedish Food Market will be open, with the Bistro offering a takeaway service
All play areas and restaurants will remain closed and customers won’t be able to eat in the restaurant or cafe.
But they will be able to purchase popular food items such as meatballs from the Swedish Food Market to take home.
The bistro, which operates a contact-free takeaway service, will be open with enhanced safety measures in place, including: two-metre distancing, screens, cashless payments only, and deeper and more frequent cleaning routines.
