Marts will remain open in counties which have to comply with Level 4 coronavirus restrictions, the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) has confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal.

The Government has imposed Level 4 coronavirus restrictions on Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan and agriculture remains an essential service.

While marts will remain open, there will be some changes to how marts operate.

Only buyers will be allowed to attend marts and they will not be allowed to look at stock in the penning areas. This is due to concerns around maintaining social distance rules.

Buyers must remain at a 2m distance at all times. Masks remain mandatory at marts and shield are not acceptable.

Anyone selling stock must drop their animals and go; they cannot stay on the mart premises after animals are unloaded.

As with all COVID-19 restrictions, ICOS said the rules are subject to change at short notice.

Essential

There had been some confusion on Thursday morning as to whether or not marts would have to move to online only under Level 4 restrictions.

The Government’s list of essential services for Level 4 restrictions says that marts are an essential service.

However, it said marts would have to operate with the “exclusion of physical attendance at [the] sales ring” and that marts would operate “online only”.

Livestock services executive with ICOS Ray Doyle told the Irish Farmers Journal that it has been agreed with the Department that marts will remain open during level four restrictions.

Level 5 restrictions and marts

Should any county move to the highest level of restrictions, Level 5, it is currently proposed that marts will move to online only and only mart staff working on site will be permitted at marts. There will be a drop-and-go facility for sellers.

Co-op stores and shops

Co-op stores which sell essential supplies for farming or agricultural purposes will remain open during Level 4 restrictions.

It is best to check with your local store if they are open as usual or if they are operating a click-and-collect service.

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