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.

@Noideawottodo

Well, if the welsh economy ends up fucked over this then Westminster bales them out, so it affects the entire union.

Yeah because it's going to be Wales' two week lockdown that causes issues, not the whole host of fucking ridiculous things that Boris Johnson has done so far.

Yeah because it's going to be Wales' two week lockdown that causes issues, not the whole host of fucking ridiculous things that Boris Johnson has done so far

Oh I agree BJ has been shite. But this lockdown is absurd.

Anyone gone shopping yet? I will be going a bit later on, and report back.
I agree with the breaker. Numbers have been consistently high here since the end of September. And we have not managed to get it back into control with the local lockdowns. They have to work with the predictions for 2-3 weeks ahead, and they think hospitals will struggle.
But I am worried that someone will find themselves in a pickle and not being able to get what they need. Is the supermarket going to refuse a mum with a baby a kettle? For example. I would be ok with it if they restrict access and if you need something then you call customer services or similar and they give it to you. It is just unnecessary stupid shit. I hope his kettle goes and he has to pop round the neighbours to get one! Maybe he will think twice before leaving people unable to get things.

@Jellykat

I don't think its a big deal, you can buy online and its only 17 days..

Some people can't buy online and you are in cloud cuckoo land if you think it will only be 17 days. Look at NI - supposed to be 4 weeks and it's barely started and Arlene Foster is already saying it may be longer.

And if I needed a pack of pens I wouldn't buy them online, that's ridiculous when they're sitting on a supermarket shelf opposite the cleaning stuff, for example.

Have you never heard of making a card? That should do for a few weeks at least.
Some of us are shit at that sort of thing I could make my own clothes too out of old curtains but I'm shit at that too . I can't bake either I rely on shops sorry .
I mean if I lived somewhere like the outer Hebrides with no access to shops I suppose I'd have to learn but I live in a city with no time to learn if we are in lockdown.

Going shopping later today. I did a John Lewis order that I'm getting delivered to Waitrose. That will probably mean hanging around their customer service desk while they fetch it because that part of Waitrose is always understaffed and busy.
I don't understand why the supermarkets have tolerated this - just because Mark Drakeford says something, that doesn't make it law. The supermarkets should have located their balls and told him to fuck off.

'Well, if the welsh economy ends up fucked over this then Westminster bales them out, so it affects the entire union.'

If this thread has shown anything it's that people England have no idea how devolved administration works, and no idea that WM take far more tax monies from Wales than the assembly, and that lots of money is borrowed money....which WM borrows for the UK, not England.

“ I don't understand why the supermarkets have tolerated this - just because Mark Drakeford says something, that doesn't make it law. The supermarkets should have located their balls and told him to fuck off.”

Law or fiction on Twitter seem to be saying this but then corrected to “non food essentials”. I cba to read through the legislation to see if it’s specified but I think it must be.

Legislation here if anyone wants to read

www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2020/1149/pdfs/wsi_20201149_en.pdf

@RishiMcRichface and @acornautumn

Each to their own, must have missed those threads...entirely likely. And yes if you have experience of lockdown you can relate I suppose, but I still genuinely don't understand the outrage. How long have places like Leicester been in stricter measures, that's a few months now isn't it? It's 2 weeks. I'd rather that than sodding months of everything. At least it's a fighting chance of keeping services going, with two major hospitals having already suspended elective surgeries again. 2 weeks of not being able to buy what you want in lockdown, versus more surgeries etc being cancelled it has to be worth a shot.

I'm entirely fed-up of it, through circumstances I've had 4 weeks of normality since March. But hospitals here routinely hit crisis point over winter usually, without extra pressure. Like I say, small price to pay I think. Others obviously disagree.

I spent ages reading the legislation laat night. Its vague on what falls into what category. The guidance however is a lot more specific. But guidance is not law and certain parts of what constitutes being essential to household maintenance and can also be bought in petrol station for example are questionable at best.

My concern here is about over stepping the boundaries of law and acting in a way which undermines public trust. That has an impact on everyone ultimately (even people not in Wales). In that sense its not 'just 17 days'.

@RishiMcRichface and @acornautumn

Each to their own, must have missed those threads...entirely likely. And yes if you have experience of lockdown you can relate I suppose, but I still genuinely don't understand the outrage. How long have places like Leicester been in stricter measures, that's a few months now isn't it? It's 2 weeks. I'd rather that than sodding months of everything. At least it's a fighting chance of keeping services going, with two major hospitals having already suspended elective surgeries again. 2 weeks of not being able to buy what you want in lockdown, versus more surgeries etc being cancelled it has to be worth a shot.

I'm entirely fed-up of it, through circumstances I've had 4 weeks of normality since March. But hospitals here routinely hit crisis point over winter usually, without extra pressure. Like I say, small price to pay I think. Others obviously disagree.

That legislation has been created to enforce something which infringes upon people's freedom, with no evidence that it's actually beneficial in stopping the spread of Covid.
I totally get that if there's a threat to public health then they have a right to do whatever is necessary, but the explanation given by them is to level the playing field. That's the bit where I think they are overstepping.
I think most people in Wales supported the idea of a two week lockdown, but the govt are in serious danger of losing public support by going over the top and stopping people buying a kettle or a tin opener.

@redtoothbrush that I understand as an argument/valid concern. Haven't read the legislation as yet...though maybe it would have helped my insomnia. This is a flaw in this govt, the legislation is never crystal clear...not to me at least.

Yeah, gonna Scarlett o'hara myself a dress out of the drawing room curtains...

Putting a tin opener on my online shop to see if it comes. Technically it's online/delivery, but as it comes direct from the supermarket I'm intrigued to see which it counts as

I saw this and honestly, as if a lockdown birthday isn't shitty enough, we can't even get birthday cards now

Have you never heard of making a card? That should do for a few weeks at least

What with?

Card, coloured pens, glitter, even biros to sign it I would think come under the non essential items category.

So no you can’t just make a card.

I just get the impression that these restrictions by Wales and Scotland is ore to try and out do not just England but also themselves.

At this rate I am expecting Nicola Sturgeon to announce a 3 week lock down, then Mark Drakeford to extend the lockdown by 2 weeks and close off the ready meal isles in Supermarkets.

It is getting to be farcical. Anyone laugh when Boris announced the 3 tier system then Nicola announced the 5 tier.

I have had a brainwave!!

The gov knows that the majority support this "firebreak" lockdown, but also know that it's not economically sustainable to keep doing it.

So they have purposely brought in these new restrictions > the electorate's support for lockdown drops > they can then stop future lockdown as "not supported by the majority". Economy saved, whilst maintaining the illusion that they are doing it in line with the populations views.

🤔

Just got back from Aldi. Can confirm the Gestapo did not confiscate my Haribo bags.

Lol yes sweets are ok. Cards and flowers can be bought in Aldi. The random aisles are shrink wrapped.
Greggs is open (which was not during the first lockdown). Take aways are allowed to open for what I read on-line.

I also got a McDonald's breakfast on my way home. Sorry not sorry. Aldi did still have specialbuys like cars and home stuff.

[quote AcornAutumn]Legislation here if anyone wants to read

www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2020/1149/pdfs/wsi_20201149_en.pdf[/quote]
They forgot to allow the exception on the sporting facilities being open for their specified sporting events, whilst people are allowed to attend the specified sporting event, the venues themselves must be closed.

During the first lockdown, we had a lot of "disguised compliance" from our mixed essential and non essential shops. The non essentials were taped off, but if someone went in to that aisle to get something, they weren't stopping them at the till when paying.

The gov knows that the majority support this "firebreak" lockdown, but also know that it's not economically sustainable to keep doing it

Do the majority support a lockdown of any length?

I only know one family who want another lockdown and they haven’t come out of the last lockdown

Every single other person wants everything to open up and life to go on and if people want to stay in then they stay in.

The under 50s age group are not worried as they will most likely survive. The older ones just want to live, go out and do things that make them happy and have looked at the stats and think the likelihood even if they are in their 80s and 90s they will survive.

Areas around me are reducing numbers of infections. I don’t think bringing in a fire break lockdown to stem the already falling infection rates is going to do any good