General Industry News
Coronavirus round-up: Irish retailers set to resume trading
Business Post – 10.05.2020
Approximately 1,500 Irish retailers are set to resume trading next Monday in accordance with Phase One of the government’s plans to reopen the economy. David Fitzsimons, Chief Executive of lobby group Retail Excellence, said he expected the total cost of protective measures for staff and customers in those businesses to be between €3million and €7.5million. The measures, which he said could cost some stores €5,000 to install, will include hand sanitising stations, social distancing signage as well as protective screens. Garden and hardware centres, farmers markets, opticians, mechanics and electrical and phone repair stores will be amongst those outlets allowed to open from May 18th.
Coronavirus round-up: Pandemic unemployment payments
Business Post – 08.05.2020
Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payments will be extended beyond mid-June, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced. The Taoiseach said no decision has been made on how long it will last for or if there will be a rate reduction after next month. The initiative, which was initially introduced for a period of 12 weeks, was set to remain in place until June 8. The latest figures from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection show that almost 600,000 people are dependent on the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment at present while more than 427,000 workers are having their wages subsidized under the temporary wage subsidy scheme.