Supermarkets in Wales will be banned from selling non-essential items like clothes and hardware during the firebreak lockdown.
Many retailers will be forced to shut when the restrictions kick in on Friday at 6pm, but food shops, off-licences and pharmacies can stay open.
Frist Minister Mark Drakeford said it will be ‘made clear’ to supermarkets that they are only able to sell products that are classed as ‘essential goods’.
He said this would ensure a ‘level playing field’ during the 17-day lockdown, when clothes shops and DIY stores won’t be allowed to open their doors to customers.
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Mr Drakeford made the announcement at 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 goods were on sale in major supermarkets.
The first minister said: ‘In the first set of restrictions people were reasonably understanding of the fact that supermarkets didn’t close all the things that they may have needed to.
‘I don’t think that people will be as understanding this time and we will be making it clear to supermarkets that they are only able to open those parts of their business that provide essential goods to people and that will not include some of the things that Russell George mentioned which other people are prevented from selling.
‘So, we will make sure there is a more level playing field in those next two weeks.’
Under the law, firms conducting a business that provides a mixed set of services will be allowed to open if they cease conducting the service that must close.
Retailers said they had not been given a list of what is classed as ‘essential’ while other companies complained at having just hours to finalise preparations for the firebreaker.
Opposition MPs have also criticised the Welsh Labour-led Government’s lack of clarity on the measures.
Andrew RT Davies, the Conservative shadow health minister, tweeted: ‘The power is going to their heads.’
He later added: ‘Is a flagon of Strongbow deemed essential? What about some much-needed underpants if you’re caught short?
‘I do hope there is some published guidance on what the Labour commissars deem as essential.’
Sue Davies, from consumer group Which?, said the announcement would cause ‘confusion’ particularly among the vulnerable.
‘Our own research showed that almost half of those who described themselves as situationally vulnerable in Wales during the previous lockdown had difficulty accessing the food and groceries they needed,’ she 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 give them the support to ensure that no-one who is at risk struggles to access the food and other basics they need.’
James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, said: ‘Retailers must not be forced to stop making products available to customers just because ministers don’t think they’re essential.
‘These regulations are badly thought out, providing little to no notice to retailers, and must be scrapped to avoid chaos in shops across Wales.
‘The confusion and confrontations between customers and shopworkers that this rule will trigger will ultimately lead to more contacts and time spent in proximity to other people, which is the exact opposite of what ministers are aiming to achieve.’
The lockdown in Wales is significantly more severe than England’s three-tier system.
Residents have been told to stay at home except for limited purposes such as exercise, while pubs, restaurants, hotels and non-essential shops have been forced to close completely.
It comes alongside a ban on travel to Wales from hotspot areas in England, which came into force this week despite the Police Federation describing it as ‘unenforceable’.
By contrast, even in England’s strictest third tier areas, some social gatherings are allowed outdoors and pubs can stay open if they offer customers a ‘substantial ‘meal’.
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