Here we go again.
It looks almost certain that the Government will announce a 'full Level 5 lockdown' in Ireland for the third time in the space of nine months.
These reintroduced restrictions would mean a huge change to shopping around the country.
For example, the likes of Smyths and Penneys will not be allowed open under Level Five unless the Government make a significant change to the Living with Covid plan - which is not expected to happen.
Under this plan currently, there are only 16 types of outlets/stores/retailers that are allowed to remain open during Level 5.
So as a result, here's what's allowed to remain open during Level 5 lockdown:
Sidenote -, it is worth noting the government may introduce caveats, clauses, or more favourable legislation to allow an extra level of commerce, but this is how the retail industry currently stands at Level 5.
1. Outlets selling food or beverages on a takeaway basis, or newspapers, whether on a retail or wholesale basis and whether in a non-specialised or specialised outlet.
2. Markets that, wholly or principally, offer food for sale.
3. Outlets selling products necessary for the essential upkeep and functioning of places of residence and businesses, whether on a retail or wholesale basis.
4. Pharmacies, chemists and retailers or wholesalers providing pharmaceuticals or pharmaceutical or dispensing services, whether on a retail or wholesale basis.
5. Outlets selling health, medical or orthopaedic goods in a specialised outlet, whether on a retail or wholesale basis.
6. Fuel service stations and heating fuel providers.
7. Outlets selling essential items for the health and welfare of animals (including animal feed and veterinary medicinal products, pet food, animal bedding and animal supplies), whether on a retail or wholesale basis.
8. Laundries and drycleaners.
9. Banks, post offices and credit unions.
10. Outlets selling safety supplies (including work-wear apparel, footwear and personal protective equipment), whether on a retail or wholesale basis.
11. Hardware outlets, builders’ merchants and outlets that provide, whether on a retail or wholesale basis: hardware products necessary for home and business maintenance or construction and development, sanitation and farm equipment or supplies and tools essential for farming or agriculture purposes.
12. Outlets providing for the repair and maintenance of mechanically propelled vehicles or bicycles and any related facilities (including tyre sales and repairs).
13. The following outlets, insofar as they offer services on an emergency basis only:
- outlets providing hearing test services or selling hearing aids and appliances.
- outlets selling office products and services for businesses or for relevant persons working from their respective places of residence, whether on a retail or wholesale basis.
- outlets providing electrical, information and communications technology and telephone sales, repair and maintenance services for places of residence and businesses.
14. Any other retail outlet that operates an online or other remote systems of ordering goods for purposes of collection at the retail outlet.
15. Optician and optometrist outlet.
16. Outlets selling food or beverages whether on a retail or wholesale basis and whether in a non-specialised or specialised outlet:
-
- insofar as they sell food or beverages on a takeaway basis or for consumption off the premises
- insofar as they are staff canteens operating for the exclusive use of persons working in, or at, a particular premises
or
- hotels or similar accommodation services referred to in subparagraphs (a) to (d) of paragraph 8 of Part 2, insofar as they sell food or beverages for consumption on the premises in accordance with subparagraphs (a) to (d) of paragraph 8 of that Part.
