Op shoppers get ready for bargains - the Lifeline op shop on Magellan Street has a tentative opening date of June 9 - that’s the Tuesday after the June long weekend.

Lifeline’s regional hub manager Ross MacInnes said the decision to reopen the shop was made by the management of Lifeline Direct yesterday.

“We are concerned about the safety of our staff and if all goes according to plan, we will bring in our paid Lifeline staff to run the shop, and not involve our volunteers,” he said.

“Most of our volunteers are older and in a high risk group, when it comes to coronavirus.”

Ross said the shop staff have been using the Covid down time to move stock around the shop and get ready for an autumn reopening.

“We’ve taken the opportunity to do painting in the stores and we hope it will be exciting,” he said.

When the shop first opens, it will reopen with limited trading hours and restricted numbers in the shop, much like the Salvos and Vinnies op shops did when they reopened recently.

Read more: Lucky Lismore's op shops are chosen to re-open

“We’ll do a limited four hours a day, from Monday to Friday and judge where to go after that by need and what people want,” Ross said.

“Based on square meterage of the shop, we will also limit numbers to 15 people at any time in the shop.”

Ross said Lifeline is not accepting donations at the moment, due to not having volunteers to sort through it and the need to keep the items in isolation for a period when they first come in.

But, hang on to your stuff, because Lifeline will be in need of it down the track.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service op shop on Magellan Street has no plans to open yet.

The Service’s regional marketing manager Zeke Huish said they were still keeping all seven of their op shops in the region closed temporarily.

“Like other charities, our volunteers run our op shops – we have no paid staff,” he said.

“Our elderly volunteers are sensitive and acutely aware of dangers involved with virus.

“But over time, we will get their feedback on how they feel about coming back and starting again.

“Hopefully, as restrictions ease and community sentiment changes we can open again.”

It’s not just the Rescue Helicopter’s op shops that are impacted by the changes, Zeke said the company is looking at what return to work looks like for all staff – many of whom are working from home.

“Our fundraising has been challenged with the Covid-19 isolation,” he said.

“Everything from raffles to fundraising BBQs, golf days and the outdoor leisure show we cancelled in July– they all involve meeting people.

“We even rescheduled the Byron Bay coastal charity walk. We are all looking forward to an easing of restrictions soon.”

Keen Street's Caroona op shop and the Adventist op shop on Uralba Street also have no reopening date yet.