RETURNING TO WORK IN THE ‘NEW NORMAL’
SLIGO began its slow journey back to work on Monday with the opening of many construction sites and workplaces including electrical and hardware stores. Leisure activities also resumed with tennis and golf venues reopening for the first time since the Covid-19 lockdown began in mid March.
The ‘new normal’ meant shoppers, who were advised they must only shop for essentials, had to queue to get into stores which opened at 9am.
Trade was said to be brisk in many of the outlets while there was a steady flow of golfers taking to the courses throughout the day. Significant road projects on the N4, N15, Western Distributor route as well as the O’Connell Street enhancement works in Sligo also saw workers returning with the emphasis on social distancing becoming a new fact of life for workers.
THE easing of the Covid-19 restrictions has meant a return to work yesterday (Monday) while many leisure activities and pursuits also returned.
Phase One of the Government’s re-opening of the country after the coronavirus lockdown saw construction and some retail outlets return along with golf and tennis clubs.
Hardware stores, builders’ merchants and those providing essential supplies and tools for gardening farming and agriculture; garden centres and farmers markets could reopen from Monday and most did throughout the county.
Car dealerships and garages were also back this week after being closed since mid March along with retailers involved in the sale, supply and repair of motorcycles and bicycles and related facilities.
Opticians/optometrists/outlets providing hearing test services, selling hearing aids and appliances were also allowed return.
While hardware stores opened once more to the public this week this does not include homeware stores which led to a lot of confusion in the sector.
It is not intended that stores which might also classify themselves as homeware, but primarily sell items such as furniture, bedding, curtains, kitchenware, crockery or other such items should open.
Electrical, IT and phone sales, repair and maintenance services for home reopened
One of the big changes from Monday was the reopening of outdoor public amenities and tourism sites, such as carparks, beaches and mountain walks.
Outdoor public sports amenities, like playing pitches, tennis courts and golf courses were also given the green light.
Outdoor sports and fitness activities can go ahead in groups of no more than four as long as people are within 5km of their home and providing there is no physical contact.
School and college buildings could open for teachers and lecturers to facilitate remote learning.
The public is advised that they should restrict visits to reopened stores for essential supplies. All retailers are encouraged to continue to provide on-line services where that is possible and appropriate to minimise footfall.
All of these outlets must implement physical distancing measures and measures set out in the Return to Work Safely Protocol.The Health and Safety Authority has been tasked to monitor workplace compliance and construction sites are amongst the main areas of focus in the cming weeks.
Work has restarted on the street enhancement works on O’Connell Street in Sligo which was originally scheduled to finish some time in June.
The county council also confirmed a return to work on the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin road widening scheme and on the Western Distributor Road in Sligo, which was at an advanced stage.
Also back on track is the N15 reallignment works with the Rosses Point road.