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The Welsh government is facing growing calls to reverse the ban on supermarkets selling non-essential items during the country’s 17-day shutdown, and a senior law enforcement figure says it only benefits Amazon.
More than 20,000 people had signed a petition Saturday afternoon calling for a U-turn on the restriction that Prime Minister Mark Drakeford said was a “matter of fairness” as nonessential retailers have to shut down during the period, which started at 6pm on Friday.
However, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones said the move would only enrich online internet giants at the expense of high street retailers, concerns echoed by conservative Welsh.
“Personally, I believe that the decision of the Welsh government to ban the sale of non-essential products in stores that also sell essential products is wrong and the only people who will benefit will be online sellers like Amazon,” he tweeted. “Bad move this time from Mark Drakeford”.
The guide published by the Welsh government says that certain sections of supermarkets must be “cordoned off or emptied and closed to the public”, and defended the ban on Saturday. These include sales areas for electrical goods, telephones, clothing, toys and games, garden products, and sections dedicated to household items.
“Supermarkets may continue to sell items that you can find in other essential stores, such as stationery / greeting cards,” he tweeted.
“The purpose of selling essentials only during the firewall is to discourage spending more time than necessary in stores and to be fair to retailers who have to close. This is not for the simple fact of being difficult, we must do everything possible to minimize the time we spend away from our homes. This will help save lives and protect the NHS. “
Supplies for “essential home maintenance, maintenance and operation” such as batteries, light bulbs and rubber gloves, can be sold during closing.
Images posted on social media show aisles selling products such as children’s clothing, greeting cards and books locked, with plastic sheeting placed over items to prevent shoppers from accessing them.
A video posted on social media appeared to show a man tearing plastic sheeting that littered clothing aisles in a supermarket.
“We do not agree that this is a prudent or rational measure and that it does more harm than good,” the petition says. “We do not agree, for example, that parents should be prohibited from buying clothes for their children during the confinement while they are shopping.
“This is disproportionate and cruel, and we ask that the decision be reversed immediately.”
Drakeford said Friday that “this is not the time to be browsing supermarkets for non-essential products.”
On Saturday, Andrew Davies, the Welsh conservative shadow health minister, called for the ban to be “lifted immediately” and has written to the speaker of the Welsh parliament calling for members to be removed to discuss the ban.
“I have never seen such a backlash against a decision by the Welsh Labor government,” he said. “This absurd ban has caused real anger across Wales and is not fair to the staff working in our supermarkets, and the general Welsh public who are already on the brink of their wits with a difficult fortnight ahead.
“The lockdown across Wales is disproportionate, unnecessary and affects our economy hard. I’d rather see people being able to buy items in their community stores that provide employment to local people than see millions spent on Internet giants online. “
Under lockdown rules, people can only leave their home for limited reasons, such as buying food and medicine, providing care, or exercising, and they should work from home whenever possible.
