Stores in various European countries (like Austria, Czechia and Germany) are gradually allowed to reopen. Where are shops resuming their activities and in which countries do they remain closed? An overview of the measures taken throughout Europe.
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Albania: supermarkets and garment manufacturers have remained open throughout the confinement, but since the 20 April, so-called low-risk shops are also allowed to open daily until 17:30. This includes furniture stores, florists, toy stores and jewellery shops.
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Austria: DIY stores, garden centres and many small shops have reopened since Easter. All other shops, large shopping centres and hairdressers are normally allowed to resume their activities from 1 May. However, customers must wear mouth masks.
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Belgium: garden centres and DIY stores can open their doors again since 18 April. Until then, only shops considered essential were allowed to remain open, such as food shops, pharmacies and pet supply stores.
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Bulgaria: in addition to supermarkets and pharmacies, fresh food and farmers’ markets have been allowed to resume their activities since the beginning of April. Shops and restaurants remain closed.
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Czechia: smaller shops have been allowed to reopen since 20 April, larger shops will be allowed to reopen from 11 May. Shopping centres will be allowed to reopen from 8 June. Wearing a face mask is nevertheless compulsory for customers.
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Denmark: since 13 March, schools, pubs, shops and all other places where more than ten people can gather have been closed. It is also temporarily forbidden to visit shopping centres, department stores and shopping malls, although supermarkets remain open. Smaller shops, such as hairdressers, florists and dental surgeries can open again as of this week.
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France: no easing of measures before 11 May. From that date, President Macron hopes to gradually reopen stores, among other things. Currently, only “essential shops” such as grocery stores, tobacco shops and wine dealers are open.
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Germany: stores under 800 sqm are allowed to resume operations since 20 April. This also applies to car dealerships, bicycle shops and bookshops, regardless of their size – so even if their surface exceeds 800 sqm.
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Greece: all non-essential shops and shopping centres will remain closed until at least 27 April.
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Hungary: the measures concerning the coronavirus have been prolonged indefinitely, which means that citizens are only allowed to make purchases deemed necessary. Visits to food shops, pharmacies and drugstores are only allowed until 15h. Consumers are only allowed to visit DIY stores if they need to buy items for their daily work.
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Ireland: only basic necessities shops may remain open, but the government confirmed on 18 April that DIY and building material shops now also fall into this category.
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Italy: on 14 April, a limited number of specialised shops, such as bookshops and children’s clothing shops, have been allowed to reopen. Other non-essential retail stores still have to keep their doors closed.
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Luxembourg: only essential shops and services such as food, telecommunications and pharmacies are open. Since 20 April, it has also been compulsory to cover your mouth – with a face mask or scarf – if it is not possible to guarantee a safe distance of 2 metres, even in shops.
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Norway: no mandatory closure of shops during the coronavirus crisis. Although some chains and companies have voluntarily decided to do so, most commercial activities continue as normal. Only shops involving close personal contact, such as hairdressing and tattoo parlours, are closed.
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Poland: since Monday, four customers can be admitted per checkout in shops under 100 sqm. Larger stores are allowed to admit one customer per 15 sqm. This means that supermarkets will now be able to admit more people.
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Portugal: next month, shops in the personal care sector (e.g. hairdressers and beauty salons) will be the first to be allowed to reopen. Small neighbourhood shops will also probably be allowed to reopen at the same time. However, most non-essential shops will certainly remain closed for the next two weeks.
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Slovenia: initially, all shops had to close, except for food shops and pharmacies. Since 20 April, most shops, including furniture shops, car dealerships, bicycle shops and DIY stores, have been able to resume operations. Hairdressers, beauty salons and pet care centres will reopen on 4 May.
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Spain: all non-essential stores will remain closed until further notice.
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Sweden: shops and restaurants have remained open.
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Switzerland: measures were relaxed this week to allow the reopening of florists, DIY stores and garden centres, as well as unmanned structures such as self-service car washes. From 11 May, shops and markets will be able to open again.
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The Netherlands: all shops have been allowed to remain open, provided that the necessary precautions are taken. An increasing number of retailers who had voluntarily closed their doors are now starting to reopen them. These include chains such as Dille & Kamille, Bestseller and IKEA.
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United Kingdom: the lockdown continues unchanged. Only essential shops are open and consumers are asked not to go to the supermarket too often.
