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Association of Fine Jewellers expresses its disappointment with the COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 plan

The Association of Fine Jewellers was most disappointed that the COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 plan announced by the Taoiseach on 23rd February did not included measures for jewellers and other so-called “non-essential retailers.”

“Jewellers don’t just sell jewellery; they also provide essential services to the community. For timing their medications, many elderly are dependent on a watch rather than a smartphone. For them it is essential that if this watch stops it can be repaired quickly and safely. The Association of Fine Jewellers had a member-jeweller who reopened their store this week to cut a ring from a customer’s finger. This was done so the customer could avoid attending A&E in her local hospital.”

Life doesn’t stop in lockdown, people still get engaged, people still get married, and unfortunately some people still get robbed. All of these people need access to a jeweller. Many people don’t know, but on a daily basis, jewellers assist with the completion of ‘replacement value sheets’ that victims of robberies have to submit to the Gardai and insurance companies.

Damian Duggan of the Association of Fine Jewellers said today:

“While we acknowledge the need to maintain lockdown measures at present, we are pleading with the Government to reconsider and reissue guidance for click-and-collect retail. For jewellers and other one-to-one retailers, we ask Government to consider appointment-only trading.”

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Damian Duggan is available for interview, telephone: 086 807 5962