I think when the Govt. announced hardware stores were to stay open, they should probably have explained why.
After the rash of shaming photos of people leaving the store with paint and decor accessories , I presume the stores are open just for plumbing type emergencies, anything that would lead to seeping sewage and a public health hazard.
I naively thought the Govt. had thought we would all need something productive to do whilst locked in our homes to prevent us all going mad and a spot of diy would help fill the weeks.