Retailers demand compromise over reopening

Taoiseach Micheál Martin says Covid case numbers are currently too high to allow for a widespread loosening of the lockdown

Non-essential retail is calling for interim measures, such as click and collect and appointment shopping, to be allowed to recommence in March. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

Non-essential retailers are urging the Government to compromise over their reopening, and allow for minimal services to restart, despite lockdown restrictions unlikely to significantly loosen early next month.

Any faint hope of non-essential shops being able to reopen as part of a potential first wave of eased restrictions on March 5 seems to have been dashed with Taoiseach Micheál Martin saying Covid case numbers are currently too high to allow for a widespread loosening of the lockdown.