Cities around the country are preparing to welcome far more visitors from Monday as we enter Phase Two of reopening.

All shops will be allowed to resume trading; however, they have been instructed to open no earlier than 10:30am each day and operate staggered opening times.

They must also put in place dedicated times for elderly, vulnerable and at-risk groups.

Toilets are to be provided to shoppers as restaurants and cafés will remain closed for another three weeks.

Builders constructing public toilets outside the Stephen's Green Shopping Centre in Dublin, 06-06-2020. Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

New guidelines for how shops will operate will be announced later today.

Richard Guiney, CEO of the Dublin Town business group is urging shoppers to come in a little bit later so essential workers can access public transport.

“Essential workers will get priority during the normal rush hour period but shoppers generally come in slightly later anyway,” he said.

“The footfall generally kicks off on the likes of Henry Street and Grafton Street after 10am so we are saying to the public if you can come in for that time, that will probably work best for everyone.”

Mary Masterson of Kitchen Whisk on Wicklow Street in Dublin getting ready for reopening on Monday, 05-06-2020. Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

He said a number of unused retail units will be repurposed as toilet facilities.

“They are the kinds of things we need to think about because people would have generally used toilets at restaurants, coffee shops and hotels,” he said.

Mary Costelloe of Costelloe+Costelloe on Chatham Street in Dublin cleaning a handbag in preparation for reopening on Monday, 05-06-2020. Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

Social distancing must be followed in all shops, with shoppers asked to wear face masks and staff will provided with PPE.

Announcing the changes yesterday, the Business Minister Heather Humphreys said the return to the high street will “not be the one that we left behind.”

She warned that queueing will be the new norm with leisurely browsing replaced by “purposeful direct shopping.”

She also confirmed that Shopping Centres will be permitted to reopen from June 15th and said the reopening of all shops will provide a “significant boost to the economy.”

Darcey Skelly wearing a face mask cleaning MUJI on Chatham Street in Dublin in preparation for reopening on Monday, 05-06-2020. Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

Shopping centres will be required to close of all communal areas and remove all seating to discourage people from congregating indoors.

“This will mean that a trip to the shopping centre will not be a day out or somewhere to hang out with friends,” she said.

“You will need to queue, go to the shop you want, and leave.”

Further guidelines on reopening are expected to be announced later today.