Welsh government moves to clarify ‘essential’ lockdown products that retailers can still sell

Print

The Welsh government has issued fresh guidance on the type of “essential” products that retailers are allowed to sell during the 17-day lockdown period.

shelves.jpg

The new guidelines, issued after meetings with businesses and trade unions, followed a backlash after retailers were forced to close off sections of their shops when the “firebreak” restrictions were introduced on Friday evening.

The Welsh government said: “We are hopeful this provides a workable solution for retailers and customers.

“However, we cannot move away from the central principle that retailers must restrict the sale of non-essential goods for the duration of the firebreak.

“We continue to work closely with the sector and would stress that these restrictions are in place to stop the spread of coronavirus and save lives.

“We are asking the public to continue to support the effort by restricting unnecessary journeys and shopping.”

The government also said shoppers should be able to ask for and be sold non-essential items “in exceptional circumstances” during the lockdown.

Ministers issued a list of products that are allowed to be sold in retail outlets during the lockdown period including food and drink and products linked to the sale of food and drink – mainly disposable items used for the preparation and storage of food like kitchen foil, food bags and cling film.

“he list also covers basic products necessary to prepare and eat food and drink.

Other items considered essential include products for washing clothes and for cleaning and maintaining the home, including batteries, light bulbs and fuel, toiletries and cosmetics, including toilet rolls and sanitary products, and pharmaceuticals.

Other items on the essential list are baby products including equipment, clothes and nappies, newspapers, magazines and stationery and greetings cards.

Retailers were initially told to close parts of their stores displaying non-essential items, such as clothes, birthday cards, books and toys, when the lockdown started on Friday.

This prompted an online petition protesting about the new rules which was signed by more than 60,000 people making it the largest ever submitted to the Welsh parliament.

The regulations for retailers will be in force until the current lockdown ends on 9 November.