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The MINISTER OF STATE in the Department of Enterprise, Damien English, has said that clothing is “not an essential purchase” during the Covid-19 Level 5 restrictions.
Speaking at RTÉ’s Prime Time, English acknowledged that even though there is a list of essential and non-essential retailers during Level 5, it is difficult for a mixed retail outlet that “is a bit of both” but said that the rules “were not confusing” And they were clear.
The conversation went like this:
English: “There is a list of what is essential and what is not essential and is difficult for a mixed retailer. [outlet] which is a bit of both. “
O’Callaghan: “It’s very confusing.”
English: “No, no, it is not confusing. I think we have had this discussion on numerous occasions with the retail sector and, to be clear, to try to make it just the difference now compared to last March is that all those clothes can still be bought … “
O’Callaghan: “But Minister, wait, are socks essential for your son?”
English: “Clothes are not essential. But again, of course, in all situations, there is a bit of common sense. “
O’Callaghan: “That sounds like a crazy minister.”
English: “Well, again, what is essential, what is not essential. The Gardaí is reinforcing the public health message, it is helping us do our job, it is engaging with the retail sector, encouraging them to do the right thing. To be fair, I acknowledge that the retail sector is doing [its] it’s better to get it right and if changes are needed, changes will be made. “
O’Callaghan: “So I can buy a bottle of wine but I can’t buy socks for my son?”
English: “Socks come under Miriam’s clothes.”
O’Callaghan: “But people consider them essential.”
English: “Exactly … everyone has their own opinion on [what is essential]. But to be clear … the whole point is to discourage the movement of people as much as possible. “
In explaining the retail closing rules, the Minister of State of the Department of Enterprise @ Damien_Spanish You have said that “clothes are not essential”. #rtept pic.twitter.com/tjRG1HiWcB
– RTÉ Prime Time (@RTE_PrimeTime) October 29, 2020
The dispute over essential and non-essential retail items has been rumbling since the Level 5 restrictions were introduced last week.
Essential retailers (supermarkets, hardware stores, pharmacies, etc.) can keep their doors open to customers during Level 5 restrictions, which will remain in effect until early December.
Non-essential retailers (home goods stores, clothing stores, toy stores, and the like) can only remain open if they offer online delivery or “click / call and collect” services.
However, some non-essential retailers have complained in recent weeks that essential retailers, many of them larger in size, may continue to sell non-essential items, taking advantage of the fact that their smaller competitors have had to close their doors at the clients. .
The current retail guidelines are pretty straightforward.
When retailers offer a mix of essential and non-essential products for sale, the company must “arrange for separation” of the non-essential section.
That’s why if you’ve recently taken a trip to one of the larger supermarkets, you’ve probably seen the cordoned off clothing or toy section.
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The regulation contains a legal instrument that entered into force on October 22.
This instrument provides for the “performance or provision of certain businesses and services” subject to a series of conditions.
Fundamentally, access to the general public is prohibited except in the case that “the facilities are used to provide an essential service, provided that such access is granted, or is otherwise permitted, only to the part of the facilities that is operating solely to provide essential service ”.
Tonight there was another flower purchase by a mob at a gas station in downtown Dalkey.
Damien English called it a “premeditated” act in bad taste and called on the Gardaí to renew its focus on this and on the clandestine black market in socks.# Ireland2020 #Star hour pic.twitter.com/cA44UTkPNE
– Peadar Tóibín (@ Toibin1) October 29, 2020
Responding to English’s comments, Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said that children’s clothing “is clearly essential,” as schools will reopen on Monday after midterm.
“There is no point in closing aisles in supermarkets that can further support these products, and in doing so undermines public confidence in the restrictions, as they clearly appear unnecessarily harsh and obviously do not stop the spread of the virus,” Gannon said.
“The cabinet needs to quickly review this decision,” he said.
Health officials confirmed 866 more cases of Covid-19 in Ireland and six more deaths last night.
Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan said: “It is vitally important that if you are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms you isolate yourself and call your GP for further advice.”
“Self-isolation means staying in your room and avoiding contact with other members of your household. Doing this will protect the people you live with by disrupting the chain of transmission. “
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