Retailers urge early reopening of shops if Covid rate continues to decline

Shops have proven to be a safe environment for people, and they must be given a chance to prepare for Christmas, says Retail Excellence.

Dublin's Grafton St in lockdown.

A retail industry group has urged the Government to allow “non-essential” shops to reopen earlier than planned if the country’s Covid-19 case numbers continue to fall.

Currently, all retail outlets deemed not to be essential to daily living are closed as part of the Government’s level 5 restrictions and are not due to reopen until December 1 at the earliest.