All shops can reopen from Friday as easements begin

Jun 8, 2020

Good afternoon everyone

We have some really positive news to report at the beginning of the working week.

Economy Minister Diane Dodds announced on Monday afternoon that all non-essential goods retailers in Northern Ireland from this Friday, June 12. That measure, following on from a similar loosening of restrictions in the Republic, is probably the most significant easing of the lockdown thus far.

The news has already been greeted with considerable relief by the retail sector which has suffered such significant damage over the past few months.

Monday also saw outdoor sports clubs reopen for the first time since March. However, many clubs will still require more time to implement social distancing measures.

Lastly on a day of positive news, it was also announced that there have been no coronavirus-related deaths in Northern Ireland for the second day in row.

That is the first time this has happened since the pandemic started taking a firm grip in March.

Alistair Bushe, Editor

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Coronavirus news update:

Northern Ireland: Smaller shops in Northern Ireland will be allowed to reopen from Friday, the economy minister has announced.

Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon has said her “heart breaks” thinking about businesses that have suffered a negative impact from lockdown measures.

England: NHS England announced on Monday a further 59 people had died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number in England to 27,490.

Wales: Public Health Wales said a further three people have died after testing positive for coronavirus, taking the total number of deaths in Wales to 1,401.

Ireland: A 94-year-old Dublin retailer has said the reopening of his business marks one of the “most happiest days of my life”.
Tom Monaghan, who is one of the city’s oldest business owners, feared the coronavirus restrictions would bring an end to his family’s cashmere knitwear shop.

International: Coronavirus has infected more than seven million people across the world and killed more than 400,000, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.


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