Face coverings must be worn while in shops, shopping centres and other public indoor areas as of today. The decision, announced by government earlier last month, will be implemented in the same way it was on public transport.
A mandatory requirement in many different situations, as of today,
face coverings must now be worn in all shops, supermarkets, shopping centres and other indoor settings such as libraries and cinemas.
Retail staff will also be required to wear a face covering unless there is a partition or a two-metre distance between them and a customer. Up until today, the wearing of face coverings in retail settings was advised but not compulsory. However, anyone who refuses to comply with the new regulations could face fines of up to €2,500 or seven six months of jail time.
Children under the age of 13 are exempt from wearing a face covering as are those suffering from breathing problems.
This comes in the wake of a 'midlands lockdown', which was announced for counties Kildare, Laois and Offaly due to a spike in the number of cases being reported there.
Face coverings must also be worn while on public transport and are advised in situations when social distancing is difficult to adhere to.
