Wales in Lockdown

This rule in Wales is utter madness. And who is to decide what exactly is an 'essential' item. Feeling very sorry for anyone living in Wales atm.

Sorry, I was going to reply to Bluesky but didn't.
Please ignore the Quote.

How bizarre. I may have read this incorrectly but does that mean you could go into a supermarket that is open but are not allowed to buy bedding etc even if they sell it?
The only possible explanation I can think of is that they want people to be in and out of shops as quickly as possible rather than wandering around looking at homeware?
As someone who doesn't drive and live a bit of a walk from the shops I must admit online shopping is vital to me. In lock down I realised I had run out of white cotton for an item I was sewing up for my grandson who was visiting that week,it was with me in less than 24 hours from Amazon. I feel very conflicted by my use of Amazon but undeniably it is efficient and often cheaper. It's often a source of things that were difficult to find in shops. Last Christmas I wanted to buy a bath toy for my youngest grandson. Would you believe I could not find a single one in my local town? Toy shops and department stores gone. No Mothercare or ELC -theres a Starbucks and Poundland where they once stood.
I sat on a bench in my depleted shopping arcade and within minutes used my phone to order a bath toy that was made of environmentally friendly products and was very reasonable. If needed I could have had it sent straight to his address. As i left the increasingly empty shopping centre i looked up and saw the Amazon lockers!
Cards etc can be bought with your supermarket shop but there is always the risk of them not being available etc.
There are so many ways of doing it online. I have a postcard app. I installed it when i was travelling. You upload your own photo and write a message and they print and post it. It costs slightly more but still very personal. They also have a section where you can send cards which was lovely during lock down.

The Welsh windbag is on an ego trip as is Mrs Krankie up north.

Beechnut

I’ve just been reading Check point Wales on Gloucestershire Live. It’s about a trip down the Wye Valley.

Thanks Beechnut

That explains my point exactly.

I haven't been to any actual shops (apart from the pharmacy) since March, so I don't know what's being sold. I feel conflicted about Amazon and Tesco too.

I support the Welsh Government’s decision

I follow the reasoning that, if small shops have been forced to close, then supermarkets should not be allowed to sell those items.
But what is essential?

The online trade will benefit even more if this continues for longer than proposed and small shops may close for good.

I think the idea is that people need to buy food and therefore need to go to supermarkets to get it, but shouldn't wander around looking at things that are not essential. You should be in a shop for the shortest amount of time just to buy the necessities. There are things that seem awkward and difficult but we all know what will keep us safe and that's what we should be doing.

I try to avoid buying from Amazon, and further filling their deep pockets. Yesterday I ordered an item I wanted from an EBay seller - it arrived this morning, and to my surprise was from Amazon! The cheeky Ebay Seller simply ordered it from Amazon on my behalf, making £1.78 for himself at the same time!

I just read online somewhere that the Glos police are unlikely to enforce penalties to people popping into Gwent as they don't have the manpower or the will perhaps. They are crazy rules for those living on the border.

I am so glad I bought some clothes for GC earlier this week as I prefer to see them instore.

I'm sure Gwent Police are on to it already, mary51

It's important to understand why this is being done. If the supermarkets are allowed to continue to sell clothes, toys etc during lockdown they will very cynically offer flash sales and cut prices so that everyone does all their Christmas shopping, winter clothes shopping etc during the closure while small local shops have to close. The money then goes back into Mr Tesco, Asda etc pockets - not into the local economy. When the smaller local businesses reopen noone needs anything and they all go bust. It's only two weeks and it's necessary. I understand the Amazon issue and in part that's true. But in many very depressed communities in the South here internet shopping is not a "thing" because weekly pay, low incomes and a largely cash economy don't allow it . Sorry rant over. It does make sense.

Callistemon I bought a lot of birthday cards from Amazon or ebay during lockdown. I still do buy them actually, because I limit my journeys to the shops. They usually come very quickly, within a few days. Hope that helps. And no, you’re not being unreasonable. Supermarkets were allowed to sell all their usual products during full lockdown so why not now in Wales? It’s crazy, I’ve seen the pictures of the aisles blocked off. It’s ridiculous!

These were the rules in our local English supermarket back in March. The home and ware section including cards and clothes was taped off.

Why should supermarkets sell goods that small shops sell but
have to close for two weeks.

I am just doing my Sainsbury’s online shopping. I have added 2 note books. This delivery comes from Swansea. Will I get them I wonder?

When I was a child the local stationer put all birthday cards away mid-November to make room for a display of Christmas cards. I rarely got birthday cards, as I am born at the end of November.

But it does seem odd that alchohol is essential and birthday cards, or other greeting cards are not.

Amazon will be the beneficiary of this. If you can’t buy stuff outside you can sit down and order stuff inside.

What difference , Amazon or a supermarket ?

I drove to a large Asda during the last lockdown and there was a massive queue of cars waiting to get into the car park, most had several people in the car. I can only think that as everywhere was locked down a trip to Asda with the family was a social occasion and you could buy anything. Now that has been taken away and I imagine it is so just a quick trip to the shop or supermarket for essentials. It is only for a two weeks and if it brings down the number getting the virus so be it.

Im sure people can manage for two weeks, its not the end of the world is it? And if it brings the R rate down , surely its worth a try?

You Welsh will all have to stick to the essentials then. I just read that includes Christmas crackers, an absolutely essential item to purchase at the end of October.

If everything is bought under the same roof I fail to see that it matters what you buy. I ignore " jobsworth " people at the best of times.

I work for franchise in large supermarket chain and the reasoning behind this is to stop essential outings. When lockdown happened in March supermarkets were only shops open folk came in there droves to browse and buy items that were not essential they treated it as a day out as there was no where else to go. We sold out of paint, towels books the list goes on. So I assume they learnt from the first time that it’s only way to stop it happening again.