Businesses adapt to new restrictions and Covid cases among staff members

SLIGO businesses have once again had to respond to new public health guidelines by closing or adapting to operate in a limited capacity.

Most premises across Sligo are not open to the public due to the current Covid-19 situation, with only essential businesses currently open.

Cafés have stayed open in a takeaway capacity, but some have opted to defer their re-opening until after the Christmas period.

In a post on the O’Brien’s Facebook page, management confirmed they have closed from yesterday, Wednesday, until further notice as “remaining open leaves our staff and customers at undue risk”.

Tony Conway of Hearts Desire confirmed that he will not be re-opening his premises in the Stephen Street car park until next week at the earliest. “Due to the massive rise in Covid cases, I have decided not to open tomorrow (Monday, January 4) as planned, hopefully things will have settled a bit by next week and reopening will be more feasible. Until then I’m #stayinghome be safe out there.” Koha Street Kitchen, based at The Blue Lagoon along Riverside, have also deferred re-opening until at least next week.

Nook in Collooney earmarked a mid-January re-opening in a post on Facebook but stressed that this is subject to change depending on measures relating to the current lockdown.

The Gourmet Parlour is still open on Bridge Street as of now, but its coffee shop in Collooney is closed.

Sweet Beat is operating a hatch for takeaways on a daily basis while deliveries and personal shopping can also be arranged by calling 071 9138795. Eason’s has remained open in a limited capacity for newspapers, emergency stationery and confectionary.

All other items can only be ordered online.

Some businesses such as Armin Lowe, Collery’s, Eason’s and Liber have indicated that they will operate a click and collect service, but this may also be subject to change with new lockdown measures potentially limiting click and collect to grocery shopping only.

Meanwhile, two Sligo town businesses have also been affected by Covid-19 cases.

Wehrly’s Jewellers has closed after one of its operators, Richard Wehrly, confirmed via the business’s Facebook page that he had received a positive test.

“Unfortunately, I (Richard) have tested positive for Covid-19.”

“We will postpone opening for click and collect until the week commencing January 11. Unfortunately, online orders will not be sent out and repairs, deposits or orders can not be collected until then.”

“Any queries/questions can be sent through the usual channels, we will do our very best to answer them as quickly as we can.”

“Thank you for your patience, unfortunately this will undoubtedly continue to be a problem for small businesses to deal with for the forseeable future.”

Enda Horan’s Pharmacy also briefly closed due to a staff member receiving a positive test.

The pharmacy has since been able to re-open following a professional deep clean but they outlined that they are working with reduced staff numbers and asked all people seeking prescriptions to inform them before arriving at the pharmacy where a ‘one in, one out’ system is now in place.

Enda Horan’s Pharmacy can be reached by calling 071 914 2560.