High street chains are not expected to return to business next month, after almost four months of mandatory closures in Ireland.
The Irish Government has suggested only click and collect could be allowed after the next lockdown review on April 5.
At the moment, no other timeframe has been given.
Non-essential retailing has been closed for almost seven of the last 12 months.
This is much longer than elsewhere in Europe.
Many companies including Primark, Smyths, IKEA, Decathlon would like some certainty over when non-essential retail will be allowed to re-open.
Hopes for a restart for non-essential shops aren't high as NPHET has said that case numbers remain too high to allow the large-scale movement of people.
What shops are allowed to open at the moment?
Until at least April 5 2021, all retail, except for essential retail, must stay closed.
At level 5, only essential retail and shops can be open.
Click and collect from non-essential retail is no longer available. Click and deliver can continue to operate.
Shops should offer dedicated hours to:
- Anyone aged 70 or over
People with a medical condition that puts them at very high risk from Covid-19
What are essential shops?
- 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
- Markets that, wholly or principally, offer food for sale
- Outlets selling products necessary for the essential upkeep and functioning of places of residence and businesses, whether on a retail or wholesale basis
- Pharmacies, chemists and retailers or wholesalers providing pharmaceuticals or pharmaceutical or dispensing services, whether on a retail or wholesale basis
- Outlets selling health, medical or orthopaedic goods in a specialised outlet, whether on a retail or wholesale basis
- Fuel service stations and heating fuel providers
- 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
- Laundries and drycleaners
- Banks, post offices and credit unions
- Outlets selling safety supplies (including work-wear apparel, footwear and personal protective equipment), whether on a retail or wholesale basis, and
- Hardware outlets, builders’ merchants and outlets that provide, whether on a retail or wholesale basis.
