Public urged to wear face covering while shopping

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said people should use face coverings when using busy public transport or in an enclosed indoor public area, such as retail, from Monday, as part of phase one of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

He said the guidance for phase one is to stay at home except to go to work if your workplace is open and you can't work from home, to shop for items you need, to exercise within 5 kilometres and for medical reasons or to care for others.

Up to four people who do not live in the same household will be allowed to meet up outdoors, as long as they maintain a two-metre distance.

The four basic hygiene measures remain the same which are to wash hands regularly; to maintain 2 metre physical distance when possible, to sneeze or cough into your elbow or tissue and to stay home and isolate if you feel unwell.

The additional hygiene measure that has been advised is to use face coverings when using busy public transport or in an enclosed indoor public area, such as retail.

Under phase one, businesses that can reopen include garden centres, farmers' markets, bicycle shops and motor garages, electrical and IT stores, as well as opticians.

Construction workers and gardeners can also to return to work on Monday.

As part of phase one, outdoor spaces and tourism sites, along with golf clubs and tennis courts, can reopen as long as social distancing is in place.