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The Welsh government has said it will review its ban on supermarkets selling non-essential items following a widespread backlash.
The news came hours before a man was charged with criminal damages and contravention of coronavirus regulations after an incident at a Tesco store in Bangor.
Gwilym Owen, 28, of Anglesey, will appear before magistrates in Caernarfon on November 24.
Stationery was not available to shoppers in a supermarket in Pengam Green
Video on social media on Friday showed a person in the store pulling plastic sheeting off the shelves.
The Welsh government has been widely criticized for guidance that certain sections of supermarkets should be “cordoned off or emptied and closed to the public”.
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Items affected include electrical items, telephones, clothing, toys and games, garden products, and sections dedicated to household items.
The rationale given was to discourage people from spending too much time in stores and that it would be unfair if independent retailers were forced to close but supermarkets continued to sell similar items.
Almost 43,000 people have signed a petition calling on politicians to revoke the ban, which he described as “disproportionate and cruel.”
Shoppers have expressed disbelief at the measures put in place at Tesco stores in Wales.
It said: “We do not agree that this is a prudent or rational measure, and it will create more harm than good.”
Prime Minister Mark Drakeford said the review would ensure that “common sense” is applied to the rules governing the 17-day coronavirus lockdown.
Drakeford said: “We will review how the weekend has gone with the supermarkets and make sure common sense is applied.
“Supermarkets can sell anything that can be sold in any other type of store that is not required to close. In the meantime, only leave home if necessary.”
Earlier, the Welsh government issued a statement saying the ban “was not because it was difficult.”
Home Bargains customers in Swansea were told they were unable to purchase certain items. Photo: Richard Collins
The leader of the conservative opposition in the Welsh parliament, Paul Davies, called the ban “insane” and said he has written to the president of the Senedd to call members so they can discuss the measures.
The popularity of the petition was a “clear sign” that people wanted the rule “immediately removed,” he added.
The shutdown, which ends on November 9, prohibits people from leaving their homes except for reasons such as buying food and medicine, providing care or exercising.
It also means that people should work from home whenever possible.
Towels were among the prohibited items in Swansea. Photo: Richard Collins
Leisure, hospitality and tourism businesses are closed, as are libraries, community centers and recycling centers.
Places of worship may only open for funerals or weddings.
It has been estimated that the shutdown could cost the economy more than £ 500 million.
On Saturday, Public Health Wales said 16 people had died with COVID-19, bringing the total to 1,772.
1,324 new cases of the virus were also confirmed, for a total of 41,577.
