Covid-19 in Ireland- Retail Shops to re-open on 8th June

Retail Shops to benefit from the accelerated road map to re-open business in Ireland

The Irish Government today announced an accelerated program for the re-opening Retail Shops and Business in Ireland from Monday the 8th June. This is part of the plan to lift restrictions imposed as a result of the outbreak of Covid-19 in Ireland.

The country will move to ‘Phase 2 Plus’ on Monday. Phase 3 will start on 29 June and Phase 4 on 20 July. If conditions improve the plan could be further accelerated. Some measures on mass gatherings may however need to remain in place until August.

From Monday 8 June people can travel anywhere in their own counties. All domestic travel restrictions will be lifted in Phase 3 on 29 June. Until then travel restrictions will continue to be enforceable by gardaí.

A summary of plans announced today are:

• All retail can reopen from Monday. The return to retail should create crowding on public transport or interfere with essential workers getting to work.
• those shops reopening from Monday will be required to operate staggered hours, opening no earlier than 10:30am and allocating dedicated times for elderly, vulnerable and at-risk groups.
• Shops must also provide dedicated hours for those who are over 70 or in an at risk group.
• Public libraries can also open on Monday.
• Outdoor camps for children can also be run, once there are no more than 15 people mixing together.
• Marts can reopen
• Greyhound racing resume without spectators.
• Outdoor facilities and amenities for children – including commercial ones – can reopen. Supervised playgrounds, can reopen.
• Shopping malls can reopen on 15 June, provided only the shops open. Measures must be to ensure people do not congregate at benches, fountains or food courts.

The tourism and hospitality sectors will return on 29 June and most significantly for the tourism trade in Ireland, bars can reopen if they serve food and provide a table service. Restaurants can also reopen.

In addition to the measures affecting business up to 25 people will be able to attend funerals for their loved ones from Monday. Groups of up to six people can meet both indoors and outdoors for social gatherings. Organised outdoor exercise, sporting, cultural or social activities of up to 15 people may take place where social distancing is observed.

A new Summer Education Programme for children with special educational needs and disadvantage is to follow next week.