Non-essential retail has opened for the first time in over four months as a further easing of coronavirus restrictions continues.Retail Excellence, the representative body for the industry, said it is a landmark day for the 280,000 sector employees around the country.
Some large retail chains are expected to offer late opening hours, while Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin has an online crowd counter so that shoppers can find out in advance if it is too crowded.
Ireland has one of the lowest COVID-19 infection rates in Europe but is opting for a slower reopening of its economy than most of its European peers after a relaxation of measures in December triggered a huge spike in cases.
Ireland has also put in place the European Union’s toughest restrictions on international travel and Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said previously that a set plan for a phased return to international travel this summer should be agreed by the end of May.