As the country begins a new phase in the updated roadmap towards a new normality today, an East Galway TD has said that it is an opportunity for people to support local businesses and help restore jobs.
Minister Ciarán Cannon welcomed the movement into Phase 2 – and encouraged people to shop local, as they keep revenue circulating in communities through the jobs they support.
Most retailers are reopening today, with some notable exceptions including Penneys, which will not begin reopening stores until Friday. Shopping centres can only reopen from 15 June.
Speaking today, Minister Cannon said: “I’m delighted that many more of our region’s businesses can now reopen and I wish to acknowledge the major efforts that business owners have put into implementing social distancing measures.”
The emergency has been an extraordinarily difficult time for businesses, the Fine Gael TD said.
Despite this, “we have seen innovation and progression in the face of national economic adversity with new initiatives in East Galway such as the opening of an Asian Fusion Restaurant for takeaways at Jody’s Spar in Craughwell and the launch of a new farm shop by Kylemore Farmhouse Cheese near Portumna.”
“Our retail sector employs more people than any other sector with some 65% of the workforce employed by small and medium enterprises and this next crucial phase of the reopening of our society is an opportunity to support our local businesses.
“Small businesses are at the heart of every community and keep revenue circulating in communities through the jobs they support.
“I encourage people to ensure that as we make this move towards normal business, they ensure they support the businesses near their own doorsteps and which play such a vital role in the local economy,” added Minister Cannon.
