Retail and restaurant owners in Limerick are "very excited" to be getting ready to return to business as Covid-19 restrictions are due to be lifted from tomorrow.
CEO of Limerick Chamber Dee Ryan said shops are thrilled to be getting back to business after being closed for so long and are "up to 90" getting ready today to open up.
She said shops and other non-essential retail had been anticipating reopening, but that restaurants and gastro pubs were surprised but very pleased to be back to business. These businesses very much want to be part of the solution in being able to provide regulated space for society as we continue to deal with Covid-19, she added.
Shop owner Michael Gleeson, who owns a long established shoe shop in Limerick city centre, said they have found the lockdowns very difficult. He said he is delighted to be opening up again and is very hopeful people will want to spend their money and retailers will get a bit of a bonanza in the coming weeks leading up to Christmas.
Hotel and restaurant owner Patricia Roberts who runs the No.1 Pery Square premises said the lockdown has been hell for the hospitality industry, but she is delighted to be opening up and meeting customers again. She said their business can offer controlled environments and be part of the solution to Covid going forward.
Ms Roberts said she has concerns about what she believes will be "an explosion of travel" from 18 December when a lot of people will travel to see their loved ones, and would have preferred to have seen a longer lead in to inter county travel.
If there are a lot of people travelling there could be a spike in figures again and they could be facing another shutdown - many people in the hospitality business will not weather another lockdown, she added.
Bus Éireann has said that while they are moving back to Level 3, capacity and space will be limited on buses and they are asking shoppers not to use services in peak times. In addition if there are more cars in city centres and other busy shopping locations, this will affect bus services.
A statement from Bus Éireann said - "in moving to Level 3, the Government has determined that 50% capacity will be restored for Bus Éireann services from 1 December.
"It remains the case that public transport is for essential workers and essential purposes only.
"We understand that people may have a lot to do in the coming weeks. While Bus Éireann will try to maximise capacity available, it is important to realise that available space on board will still be much reduced from the usual seasonal provision, and that there are limited additional resources available. We'd ask that people plan journeys carefully, and avoid using public transport during peak hours.
"It is also possible that more private car use will cause congestion, which may have a knock on effect on Bus Éireann services, especially around key shopping centres in the cities.
"We'd ask that intending passengers bear these challenges in mind and remain polite and understanding of our drivers and supervisors during this time," the statement added.
