Firewall blocking in Wales: supermarkets will only sell basic goods

Welsh supermarkets will be prohibited from selling non-essential items such as clothing and hardware during the firewall closure.

Many retailers will be forced to close when the restrictions go into effect at 6 p.m. Friday, but grocery stores, pharmacies and unlicensed stores may remain open.

Prime Minister Mark Drakeford said it will be “made clear” to supermarkets that they can only sell products classified as “essential goods.”

He said this would ensure a ‘level playing field’ during the 17-day shutdown, when clothing stores and DIY stores will not be able to open their doors to customers.

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It signifies a likely return to the scenes witnessed at the beginning of the pandemic when there were disputes over the contents of people’s shopping carts.

Drakeford made the announcement in a Senedd committee in response to a question from conservative MS Russell George, who said it was “ unfair ” to force independent clothing and hardware retailers to close while similar products were being sold in major supermarkets.

The prime minister said: ‘In the first set of restrictions, people had a reasonable understanding of the fact that supermarkets weren’t closing all the things they might have needed.

‘I don’t think people will be that understanding this time and we will make it clear to supermarkets that they can only open those parts of their business that provide essential goods to people and that they will not include some of the things that Russell George mentioned that other people don’t. they can sell.

“Therefore, we will ensure that there is a more level playing field in the next two weeks.”

According to the law, companies that carry out a business that provides a mixed set of services will be able to open if they stop performing the service that must be closed.

Retailers said they had not been given a list of what is classified as “essential”, while other companies complained that they had only a few hours to finalize preparations for the firewall.

It is unclear how the rule will be enforced. At the height of the pandemic in April, a police chief was forced to back down after warning that officers were “days away” from checking the contents of people’s carts, a move that the Interior Secretary, Priti Patel said it was “not appropriate.”

Opposition MPs have criticized the Labor-led government in Wales’ lack of clarity on the measures.

Andrew RT Davies, the shadow conservative health minister, tweeted: “Power is being taken up.”

He later added: ‘Is a Strongbow jug considered essential? What about some much-needed briefs if it catches you short?

“I hope there is some guide published on what Labor Commissioners consider essential.”

Sue Davies of consumer group Which ?, said the ad would cause “confusion”, especially among the vulnerable.

“Our own research showed that almost half of those who described themselves as situationally vulnerable in Wales during the previous shutdown had difficulty accessing the food and supplies they needed,” he said.

‘The Welsh government must act now to clarify the situation around what retailers can and cannot sell, and must urgently identify those most in need to support them to ensure that no one at risk has difficulty accessing the goods. food and other basic items they need. ‘

James Lowman, Executive Director of the Association of Convenience Stores, said: “Retailers should not be forced to stop offering products to customers just because ministers don’t believe they are essential.

“These regulations are poorly thought out, give little to no notice to retailers, and must be removed to avoid chaos in Welsh stores.

“The confusion and confrontations between customers and store workers that this rule will cause will ultimately lead to more contacts and more time in close proximity with other people, which is the exact opposite of what the ministers are trying to achieve.”

The lockdown in Wales is significantly more severe than England’s three-tier system.

Residents have been told to stay home except for limited reasons like exercise, while nonessential pubs, restaurants, hotels, and shops have been forced to close completely.

It comes alongside a ban on travel to Wales from hotspot areas in England, which came into effect this week despite being described as “unenforceable” by the Police Federation.

By contrast, even in the strictest third-tier areas of England, some social gatherings are allowed in the open air and pubs can remain open if they offer patrons a “substantial” meal.

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