Tesco is appealing to customers to do their Christmas shopping at off-peak times – before 11am and after 7pm – where possible over the festive period.
The supermarket giant has asked the public to help "create the safest and easiest shopping experience possible" ahead of a rush in the run-up to the big day.
Extended opening hours across all stores will allow shoppers to "access what they need" over the festive period, Tesco says.
But we're all still being urged to avoid rush-hour when it comes to getting in the Christmas haul.
A statement from Tesco says the supermarket will be "operating a common-sense approach" to festive shopping in the era of Covid-19, as families around the country battle uncertainty amid skyrocketing case numbers.
The immediate Christmas message comes after Ireland's National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) tonight reported 727 cases of coronavirus.
Dr Tony Holohan urged the public to stay away from pubs and restaurants in the coming days, even as Government guidelines continue to allow the hospitality sector to admit patrons for food and drink.
The Chief Medical Officer's remarks triggered a spat with a sector that accused him of unfairly singling out eateries, the Irish Mirror reported today.
CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) Adrian Cummins has said Dr Holohan was out of line to send such a message.
He said the industry is in “uproar” given the CMO’s messaging is not what the government has advised.
Mr Cummins told the Mirror: "I think he has stepped beyond the line.
"I think the CMO has a track record of now speaking out without getting government approval and I think the government needs to take control of this.
"There’s absolute uproar with regard to the way communication was issued yesterday effectively telling people not to go to a restaurant or a bar and didn’t call out any other sector."
