Government confirms list of retailers allowed open from Monday

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has this afternoon approved plans to move to Phase 1 of the ‘roadmap to recovery’ next Monday, with the easing of some restrictions.

Among the recommendations from Government are that people wear face masks while on public transport and in busy enclosed areas such as supermarkets.

“I can confirm that it is safe to proceed with Phase 1 of our plan to ease the Covid-19 restrictions on Monday. This gives us reason to hope, but it is not a cause for celebration. We have a long way to go yet. There will be bumps in the road and we have to keep our guard up.

“As a country we have done a lot to suppress the spread of this virus. But extreme vigilance will be required until a vaccine, effective treatment or prophylaxis is found, and that might be some time away. The only thing that is inevitable is the spread of the virus unless we push it back every day. Coronavirus is a ‘fire in retreat’ but it is not defeated. We must extinguish every spark, quench every ember.

“If all goes well, we will enter a new phase of reopening our country every three weeks. The next review will take place on June 5th. To keep going forward, we need to keep following the guidelines. Everything is provisional and reversible, and our progress depends on us all continuing to do what we have been doing.

“As the restrictions ease and we come into contact with more people, the opportunity for the virus to spread increases. So, self-discipline and personal responsibility will become more important, not less.

“In three weeks’ time, on Friday 5 June, I fervently hope to be here to announce that we will move to Phase 2. A further relaxation of restrictions. This depends on the progress we make between now and then. Nothing is guaranteed. The only thing that is inevitable is the spread of the virus unless we push it back every day,” said the Taoiseach.
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As part of the plan to gradually reopen the economy and society, the following Phase 1 changes will come into effect from Monday, where social distancing can be maintained: construction workers, gardeners and other outdoor workers can return to work.

List of retailers that can open on Monday, May 18:

• hardware stores;
• builders’ merchants and those providing essential supplies and tools for gardening;
• farming and agriculture; garden centres and farmers markets;
• Opticians/Optometrists/Outlets providing hearing test services, selling hearing aids and appliances;
• retailers involved in the sale, supply and repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles and related facilities (e.g. tyre sales and repairs);
• office products and services; electrical, IT and phone sales, repair and maintenance services for home. (Note this does NOT include homeware stores);
• Only stores providing homeware incidental to primary retail functions set out in the original Essential Services list are to repen in Phase 1. It is not intended that stores which might also classify themselves as homeware, but primarily sell items such as furniture, bedding, curtains, kitchenware, crockery or other such items etc. should open.
• outdoor public amenities and tourism sites, such as carparks, beaches and mountain walks may reopen;
• outdoor public sports amenities, like playing pitches, tennis courts and golf courses may reopen;
• outdoor sports and fitness activities in groups of no more than four are permitted within 5km of your home and providing there is no physical contact;
• school and college buildings may reopen for teachers and lecturers to facilitate remote learning;

“During Phase 1, it is intended that customers should restrict visits to such stores for essential supplies. All retailers are encouraged to continue to provide on-line services where that is possible and appropriate to minimise footfall,” a Department of Health statement reads.

The general advice from Government is that people should continue to stay at home, except for the following five reasons:

1. to go to work, if your place of work is open and you cannot work from home
2. to shop for items you need
3. to exercise within 5km of your home
4. for medical reasons or to care for others
5. to meet friends or family outside, within 5km of your home, in groups of no more than four

Older people and those who are cocooning should continue to stay at home, except for brief outdoor exercise within 5km of their home.