The Government has published the full list of the essential services that can continue operating through the COVID-19 lockdown.
Workers around the country have been waiting to hear whether their business will open on Monday since the Taoiseach announced a nationwide lockdown last night.
The lockdown, aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19, will remain in place until Easter Sunday at the earliest.
As of midnight, members of the public have been ordered not to leave their homes except in limited circumstances.
People can go outside to shop for essential items, pick up medicines and health, attend medical appointments and exercise within 2km of their homes.
People are only permitted to go to work if it the service they provide is considered essential.
The full list of essential services is available here and consists of 16 separate categories including:
- Agriculture & Fishing
- Manufacturing
- Repair and installation of Machinery and Equipment
- Electricity, Gas & Water
- Construction
- Wholesale and Retail Trade
- Transport Storage and Communication
- Accommodation and Food Services
- Information and Communications
- Financial and legal activities
- Professional, Scientific and Technical activities
- Rental and Leasing Activities
- Administrative and Support Services
- Public Administration and Defence
- Human health and social work activities
- Community/Voluntary Services
The 'construction' heading notes that only projects critical to the fight against COVID-19 and the upkeep of roads and utilities should continue.
Construction firms are also permitted to respond to emergency call-outs to homes and businesses.
Meanwhile, vets are included under the agriculture and fishing heading and hotels that offer essential accommodation – including homeless services and Direct Provision – are included under accommodation.
There is also a list of essential retailers that are allowed to continue and that is available here.
Employers are asked to check the list to find out whether their service is deemed essential.
If they are on the list they do not need official authorisation to continue. They should notify all employees that are essential to the provision of their service that they are able to continue.
All businesses have been warned to follow the latest public health guidance at all times.
Employees are allowed to travel to work if their employer tells them they are essential; however, they now have to carry ID and a letter from their employer saying they are essential while travelling to and from work.
