HAIRDRESSERS AND BARBERS will remain shut until 20 July, it emerged this afternoon. 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that the Government was introducing an “accelerated” road map for reopening the country.

As part of the revised roadmap it’s planned all internal travel restrictions will be lifted by 29 June, while most retail outlets have been given the green light to reopen from Monday. 

However, Varadkar said hairdressers and barbers will have to remain shut as their work involves “almost face-to face contact” which makes it a “high-risk engagement”.

The Irish Hairdressers Federation (IHF), a representative body for the industry, last month presented a number of plans to Government in a bid to get reopened sooner. 

Hairdressers wanted to introduce regular temperature checks, log customers’ names and phone numbers to help with contact tracing, as well as regular hand washing and social distancing measures.

A host of other restrictions are to be eased in the coming days. 

From Monday, most retail outlets will be allowed to open their doors. Shopping centres will also be able to open from 15 June.

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Shops will also provide dedicated hours for those who are over 70 or in an at-risk group. 

The government is encouraging people to shop locally, shop safely and support businesses in their community.

You can read a detailed breakdown of the accelerated roadmap here.