DUBLIN: All non-essential retail outlets will be closed from midnight today to prevent the spread of COVID-19. All essential retail outlets that are opened will operate in compliance with public health procedures. The government has released a list of businesses classified as essential services.
● Businesses that sell food or beverages on a takeaway basis.
● Shops that offer food for sale.
● Outlets that sell products necessary for home maintenance, such as hardware outlets and builders’ merchants.
● Banks, post offices and credit unions.
● Pharmacies, chemists and retailers or wholesalers providing pharmaceuticals, as well as outlets selling health, medical or orthopaedic goods in a specialised outlet.
● Fuel service stations and heating fuel providers.
● Businesses that provide essential items for the health and welfare of animals.
● Laundries and dry cleaners are considered essential.
● Businesses selling health, medical or orthopaedic goods.
● Outlets selling safety supplies, including work-wear apparel, footwear and PPE.
● Mechanics and bike repair shops can remain open.
● Businesses that offer services on an emergency basis such as those sell hearing aids, office products, those who provide electrical, information and communications technology and telephone sales, repair and maintenance services.
● Optician and optometrist outlets.
● Retail outlets that operate online can open to provide goods for collection.
The government also said that arrangements should be made to separate essential and non-essential retail items such as supermarkets.
The government recommends that work from home be continued unless absolutely necessary.