Garden centres have been allowed to reopen from 9am today. Here's all you need to know.
WILL ALL GARDEN CENTRES REOPEN?
Most centres are expected to open, although some shops have announced limited opening hours and no late-night opening.
WHAT SAFETY RESTRICTIONS ARE IN PLACE?
Stores are expected to operate along the same lines as supermarkets. Hillmount Garden Centres, which has outlets in Ards, Bangor and Belfast, has said only a limited number of people will be allowed into the shop at any one time.
The business has asked that as few people from one household visit the shop.
Shoppers must use trolleys to help with social distancing.
Staff wearing protective equipment will disinfect trolley handles, wipe counter tops and card machines after each use.
Customers are being encouraged to use cashless payment.
Other major centres are also following the same rules. Some have asked customers not to bring children to their shops.
Dobbies in Lisburn has set up protective measures including perspex screens at tills, a strict queuing system and hand sanitising and trolley cleaning stations at the entrance to the shop.
WILL CAFES IN GARDEN CENTRES BE OPEN
Coffee shops and play areas will remain closed for the foreseeable future. Some centres have also closed customer toilets.
Dobbies in Lisburn said it will offer a takeaway menu including hot and cold drinks, soups, toasties, panini and baked goods from tomorrow.
Creative Gardens, which has outlets in Bushmills and Galgorm Castle in Co Antrim and Donaghadee in Co Down, said it aims to launch a takeaway service offering scones and desserts.
WHAT ARE GARDEN CENTRES ALLOWED TO SELL?
Centres can sell all their usual goods, including plants, homewares and barbecues. The only restrictions are on selling food.
WHY GARDEN CENTRES?
Environment minister Edwin Poots said earlier this month that garden centres were among non-essential businesses which could reopen.
He said the alternative to not reopening them soon will be a "large compensation package" from Stormont, which "we don't really need to pay".
The fact that many centres have large outdoor areas and can easily set up social distancing measures, as well as fears about businesses suffering during the key spring and summer months, were key factors in their reopening.
Celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh was among those who lobbied the British government over the issue.
WILL THERE BE QUEUES?
Despite social distancing restrictions, garden centres are expected to see an influx of customers after more than eight weeks of lockdown.
Warnings to remain at home have meant many people have been spending more time in their gardens than normal.
Long queues were reported at garden centres across England after lockdown measures were eased last week.
