Welsh government reviews lockdown rules for sale of ‘non-essential’ products as protests mount

Retailers have been told to close parts of their stores displaying non-essential items, such as clothes, birthday cards, books and toys, during the 17-day firebreak which started on Friday evening.

An online petition protesting about the new rules has been signed by more than 60,000 people making it the largest ever submitted to the Welsh parliament.

First minister Mark Drakeford said a review into how the rules have been implemented would be held today but he stressed the regulations would not be reversed.

The restrictions are designed to protect the business of other retailers selling non-essential products that have been forced to close during the new clampdown.

Mark Drakeford said: “The position we face in Wales is really and deeply serious and for these two weeks we are asking people to stay at home and not to mix with other people as much as they can.

“If the rules are not sensible rules, if there are anomalies that are emerging, we will put them right, but the basic underlying public health emergency has not gone away.

“The basic decision is the right one. If the implementation of it, the interpretation of it needs to be revisited to make sure the rules are sensible, then we will do that.”

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) today called on the Welsh government to drop its ban on non-essential products.

Chief executive James Lowman said: “The non-essential product restrictions have put huge pressure on colleagues in stores.

“Retailers and their colleagues in Wales are on the front line dealing with customers who are understandably frustrated about the confusing rules, put in place with just a few hours’ notice on Friday afternoon.

“During the first lockdown, we saw a significant increase in violence and abuse suffered by colleagues due to Covid restrictions.

“We are extremely concerned that this badly thought out, badly implemented and unnecessary policy will cause flashpoints of further abuse and violence in-store.

“The Welsh government has talked about the measures being put in place to ensure ‘fairness’ but have failed to consider whether it’s fair for colleagues to have to deal with these issues throughout the firebreak.”

Tesco has apologised to a shopper who was told she could not buy period products at one of its stores in Wales.

Tesco claimed it had been told by the Welsh government it could not sell them during lockdown.

The Welsh government said today: “This is wrong: period products are essential.

“Supermarkets can still sell items that can be sold in pharmacies.

“Only selling essential items during firebreak is to discourage spending more time than necessary in shops.

“It should not stop you accessing items that you need.”