Queues Form Outside Shops As Non-Essential Retail Opens For First Time This Year Share this article Queues are forming outside shops across the country as non-essential retail is allowed to open for the first time this year. The latest easing of Covid-19 restrictions is allowing customers without an appointment to go into a store. Shoppers are being urged to stay patient with staff, while also practicing social distancing. Dublin Town Chief Executive, Richard Guiney, says he's expecting up to 225,000 people into the capital today. Meanwhile, IKEA says it’s taken a number of crowd control measures as long queues are expected at its Dublin store.