A REVIEW of 'fire break' lockdown restrictions on supermarkets selling 'non-essential items' will take place following widespread public uproar in Wales.
More than 49,300 people have signed an online petition opposing the rule which has seen items such as alcohol, chocolate and biscuits sold as ‘essential’ and clothing, toys, and household good seen as ‘non-essential’.
The coronavirus ‘fire break’ lockdown began at 6pm on Friday, October 23 and is scheduled to end on Monday, November 9.
Shoppers have since been faced with barriers preventing them accessing certain sections in stores.
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First minister, Mark Drakeford said the Welsh Government would undertake a review after the weekend.
Mr Drakeford, on Twitter, said: “We’ll be reviewing how the weekend has gone with the supermarkets and making sure that common sense is applied.
“Supermarkets can sell anything that can be sold in any other type of shop that isn't required to close.
"In the meantime, please only leave home if you need to.”
Mr Drakeford, clarifying the situation, said: "Supermarkets can sell anything that can be sold in any other type of shop that isn't required to close."
The first minister previously said the rule would ensure a "level playing field" – so shops forced to close would not lose out on trade to supermarkets that could remain open and sell the same items during the lockdown.
"Supermarkets can keep selling items you can find in other essential shops – such as stationery/greeting cards," a statement read.
"The purpose of selling essential items only during 'fire break' is to discourage spending more time than necessary in shops and to be fair to retailers who have to close.
"This is not for the sake of being difficult - we need to do everything we can to minimise the time we spend outside our homes.
“This will help save lives and protect the NHS."
Health minister, Vaughan Gething added that the measures were aimed at reducing contact between people and that retailers and that it was the in-person activity that matters.
The petition can be accessed via https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/244282?fbclid=IwAR3w6qvJLXtRy6NICYkxeuC2-E7tRN25egRmC2vJH3sgUkVN2Z6tEYfMXTk
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