Stricter measures than ever before. Wales to restrict what supermarkets can sell.

[safariboot]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-54648194

We didn't have that in the "first wave". Despite some confusion, it was perfectly OK for essential shops to also sell non-essentials, and for customers to purchase them on the same visit as doing essential shopping. Now, in Wales, it's not OK, the stated reason being "fairness" to small businesses.

I think this could be a first sign of things to come. I fully expect measures at least as strict as, and possibly stricter than, what we saw in March. And I expect local to become regional to become national. Because anything less just isn't keeping Covid-19 under control.

Not everyone can buy items on a whim. Some people can only buy them on payday or after saving up, and when exactly did they announce that so called non essentials wouldn't be available because it seems to have been announced last minute. I've been in the position of needing a jacket and other so called non essential items last minute, the jacket because it was damaged, but luckily I've always been in the position where I could afford to buy it immediately but plenty of people aren't.

I am pretty anti lockdown yes, at least Anti "Only covid matters " but what's really pissing me off is the bullshit justification that it's being "fair and will help small shops. There's not a shred of evidence to suggest that it will. Do you really think that those who have the means are going to wait until the shops open again and that they'll buy them from independent stores instead of turning to Tesco or Amazon? Where too is the evidence that stopping people from buying "non essential" items in the same supermarket that they're already in to buy their dinner is going to reduce numbers?

Do you really think they’ll extend it? I think they’ll probably replace it with something equally irritating like the 5 mile rule - but rather like boiling frogs, this time it will feel like a concession rather than an imposition.

Cigarettes and alcohol are not in the "naughty list". My understanding is that you can buy them in supermarkets as usual

Ah so fags are essential

This ‘small shops’ bullshit does feel very irrational and controlling. Perhaps they’re trying to deflect from the embarrassing detail that they forgot to actually cost the whole lockdown measure before implementing it.

The joys of power without responsibility.

It seems so.... you cannot buy a new duvet, but you can burn cigarettes

I can imagine the uproar if they just announced no cigarettes, no alcohol, and no football for 17 days!

At least fireworks are non-essential, I'm glad about that one.

Hate the bloody things though, so I'm biased

@MaxNormal

Or people could wait until the 9th...

For the announcement that the restrictions are being extended. Almost inevitably.

Exactly. After saying the NI lockdown would only be for 4 weeks Arlene Foster has already said it could be extended.

But what if your dc break school shoes and need new ones as your in tesco anyway whats the harm of picking up shoes and if no where else is open ?

Someone has just pointed out on the wales thread that tin-openers are non-essential. How does that work if you have tinned food?!

There are rocks you can bang on the tins with in Wales, you don't need tin openers, and it's good exercise so you'll get fitter too!

No comment... 🙄

I thought things were pretty bad and not that logical in England but the welsh minister and Sturgeon are as mad as a box of frogs
The pair of them are MENTAL

www.google.com/search?q=how+to+open+tins+without+tin+opener&oq=how+to+open+tins+without+tin+opener&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l2.10094j0j4&client=ms-android-h3g-gb&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#

Try these ones. You can use a knofe or scissors too. Try not to end up in A&E

Knife! Sorry...

Tinned food is a luxury that no one needs. A daily gruel ration is all that should be permitted.

I hope condoms are essential

@TooTrusting

Just a thought. Ladies' "sanitary items" are classed as a luxury for tax purposes and taxed at a high rate. For years the calls to recategorize them and deem them "essentials" rather than luxury items (and therefore subject to lower tax rates and cheaper to buy) has fallen on deaf ears with successive Labour and Tory govts. Now Mark Dickhead, Supreme Leader of Wales, has announced that during the Welsh lockdown starting tonight we may only buy "essentials" from the supermarket. The definition includes said items. They can't have it both ways. If these are classed as essentials then the argument against the luxury tax is won, isn't it?

The Welsh government aren't responsible for setting VAT. Its not a devolved matter but a Westminster one.

Its not a devolved matter but a Westminster one

It's not even a Westminster one currently, and from the day it is, they will be zero rated.

I'm doing a big shop tomorrow. If anyone in Wales wants any non-food items, just let me know. I'll bring them to the border and then chuck them over, no questions asked.

@PetitFours

I'm doing a big shop tomorrow. If anyone in Wales wants any non-food items, just let me know. I'll bring them to the border and then chuck them over, no questions asked.

Amazing. Everyone should do this. Just to make a point about smuggling over the Welsh border to the utterly insane Welsh government.

@StealthPolarBear

I hope condoms are essential

Only the plain ones, no ribbed or flavoured allowed

To be fair, we have had notice so there was time to buy these things

Less than 24 hours? I haven’t had time!

Ladies' "sanitary items" are classed as a luxury for tax purposes and taxed at a high rate
Sorry but this is not correct.

Tax on these products was reduced from 17.5% to 5% 15 years ago.

Still don't see the justification for 5% though