A national protocol for businesses planning to reopen when the restrictions have lifted is being drafted and is expected to be published soon.
The Government's roadmap says there can be a phased return to the workplace across all sectors from August but companies are already making plans on how to ensure social distancing in the workplace.
Thousands of people have been working from home since restrictions were introduced almost two months ago.
For many that will become a permanent arrangement but for those who will return to the workplace there will be massive changes.
The FKM Group in Dublin is reconfiguring office space to make sure social distancing can be maintained to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
CEO Matt Mohan said he believes 60% of people will return to the workplace, while the remainder will continue to work from home.
He said there are two fundamental aspects for returning to the office; firstly that the building is fit for purpose, and secondly the safe movement of employees in it.
A number of measures can be taken to ensure social distancing, including having hygienic points containing hand sanitiser, gloves and face masks for employees. Other measures include a device for opening doors and access lifts without touching surfaces, perspex glass separating work stations and limited numbers in communal areas such as canteens.
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The capacity in meeting rooms will be reduced due to social distancing, meaning a boardroom that used to seat 12 people will now only have four people around the table sitting two metres apart.
Hardware stores are allowed to open in phase one, which begins on 18 May.
Donald Quinn of Expert Hardware and Marine Supplies in Howth said it will not be business as usual.
"In our situation social distancing is going to be very, very difficult for us to achieve. We have so much stuff in a small space really," he said.
His hardware store will revert to the way it was operating for a few weeks before it was closed.
This involved only allowing two people into the shop with a list of what they want which staff will get.
"We'll have to try and get people in and out as fast as possible without browsing".
