There has been mixed reactions to the announcements. The next formal review of restrictions by the NI Executive won’t take place until May 13.

‘Fantastic news’

Retail NI’s Glyn Roberts said it is to be welcomed that non-essential retail  finally has a date to re-open.

“This is a significant step forward for the re-opening of our high streets, out local economy and is fantastic news for thousands of small businesses.

“Covid marshals and agreed Covid compliance signage all need to be in place ahead of the re-opening to ensure customers that our high streets are safe to return to and also to reduce levels of virus transmission. The Executive needs to work with industry groups and councils in preparation for the re-opening of our high streets.”

Landmark day

 First Minister Arlene Foster said: “This is a landmark day for Northern Ireland as we step firmly and with confidence on our pathway to recovery.

“I am pleased and proud that through our collective efforts we have reached a point where we have established a good level of control over the virus.

‘Bit brighter’

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “Today, the light at the end of the tunnel has just got a little bit brighter.

“This is a day of positive progress. We have agreed a significant package of easements which will make a fundamental difference to people’s lives and wellbeing.

“The restrictions have been a necessary response to the pandemic, to suppress the virus and save lives.

“But they have taken their toll on people right across our society. I’m delighted that we are now in a position to move forward, thanks to the efforts and sacrifices of the public and the success of our vaccination programme.

“We can all take comfort from this progress and look forward to doing the things that are important to us while keeping ourselves and others as safe as possible.”

‘Better summer’

Health Minister Robin Swann warned “Every one of us has a part to play in maintaining progress – by getting vaccinated when our turn comes and by sticking with the actions that have served us well for the past year – including social distancing, wearing a mask, washing hands. It’s also vital to remember that outdoor settings are significantly safer than indoors.

“As we look forward to a better summer, we must not lose sight of the fact that the virus is still a threat. The more we increase vaccination uptake rate, the more we strengthen our defences.

“The Executive’s phased and gradual approach to easing restrictions is the right one. Opening everything up at the same time would not be the responsible way forward. We must not jeopardise the progress we have made.”

The next formal review of the Coronavirus regulations under the Pathway out of Restrictions will be carried out on May 13, 2021.

The post Retail can re-open from 30th April – Retail NI welcomes Executive Covid-19 Relaxations first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Retailers began noticing some panic buying creeping in during September, but the NI executive’s further restrictions announced on 14^th October could facilitate further domestic stockpiling.

Suggestions of a second lockdown heralded some panic-buying in September. Customers are reportedly stockpiling toilet roll and essentials at some supermarkets.

According to Kantar, sales in the overall grocery market rose 9.4% in the 12 weeks to October 2020. Head of retail and consumer insight Fraser McKevitt. “Shoppers are moving a greater proportion of their eating and drinking back into the home,” he says. “This is likely a response to rising Covid-19 infection rates, greater restrictions on opening hours in the hospitality sector, and the end of the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme.”

The Kantar data showed that sales dipped back to in line with total grocery while symbols and independents saw a 19.9% growth in sales. The seven days from Monday 21 to Sunday 27 September were the busiest since March, with 107 million trips recorded, but that number was nowhere near the 175 million seen just prior to the first national lockdown.

Sales of toilet roll and flour rose by 64% and 73% during the week, showing that consumers were expecting further restrictions.

Partial lockdown

With Northern Ireland set to enter a four week partial lockdown, including schools shutting for two weeks including half term, there’ll undoubtedly be a surge in demand for every day items.

The new rules are effective from Friday 16^th October. Retail outlets – as essential services – are not restricted, however the hospitality sector will close apart from deliveries and takeaways.

Off-licences and supermarkets cannot sell alcohol after 8pm.

Back to hygiene basics

First Minister Arlene Foster asked businesses to get “back to the basics” of social distancing, hand hygiene and other measures and hinted at further measures should infection rates continue to climb.

Northern Ireland’s cumulative seven-day rate of infections per 100,000 people is 334, one of the highest in Europe. Derry City and the Strabane council area has a rate of 970 per 100,000 people – far outstripping Liverpool, England’s worst hit city, which has 634 cases per 100,000 people.

While the restrictions do not amount a full-scale lockdown similar to the onset of the pandemic in March, the measures mark a significant ramping up of Northern Ireland’s response to spiralling infection rates.

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