The government has issued further details on “essential” retail outlets and on restrictions for other retailers during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Hardware stores, opticians, gardening centres, vehicle and bicycle repair stores, and shops that sell IT/office equipment have been ordered to close and offer an emergency call-out or delivery service only for the next two weeks.
These businesses had previously been allowed to stay open before the lockdown last night.
The government has today published an official list of essential retail outlets which can remain open to the public for the period until 12th April.
Essential retail outlets:
1. Retail and wholesale sale of food, beverages and newspapers in non-specialised and specialised stores
2. Retail sale of household consumer products necessary to maintain the safety and sanitation of residences and businesses
3. Pharmacies/Chemists and retailers providing pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical or dispensing services
4. Retail sale of selling medical and orthopaedic goods in specialised stores
5. Fuel stations and heating fuel providers
6. Retail sale of essential items for the health and welfare of animals, including animal feed and medicines, animal food, pet food and animal supplies including bedding
7. Laundries and Drycleaners
8. Banks, Post Offices and Credit Unions
9. Retail sale of safety supply stores (work clothes, Personal Protective Equipment, for example)
Essential retailers that remain open must implement physical distancing measures, including limits on the number of customers allowed in store.
Businesses that can only offer emergency call-out or delivery services:
- opticians/optometrists
- retailers involved in the repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and bicycle repair and related facilities (tyre sales and repairs for example)
- hardware stores, builder’s merchants and stores that provide hardware products necessary for home and business maintenance, sanitation and farm equipment, supplies and tools essential for gardening/farming/agriculture
- retail sale of office products and services for individuals working from home and for businesses
- retailers providing electrical, IT and phone sales, repair and maintenance services for home.
