DUBLIN: Garda takes action against retailers selling non-essential items. Footage of officials entering stores and talking to management has been circulating on social media.
Sections of clothes and other items that have been cleared can also be seen in the video. There are also videos in online of certain stores that change such items without Garda’s inspections.
An Garda Síochána said on Twitter that, as part of the national campaign, they are monitoring whether essential retailers comply with the rules. The Gardai tweeted that the inspecton would adopt a ‘4E’ approach of Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce.
The Garda states that retail establishments that open under Level 5 restrctions are subject to penal regulations. But Garda did not provide figures on how many stores were visited.
A spokesman for Tesco Ireland confirmed that sections other than essential items had been temporarily closed, following government guidelines. “In line with Level 5 Government Guidelines, our clothing sections are closed temporarily except for certain essential items (socks, underwear, and baby clothes),” he said.
Meanwhile, officials have said that the Dunnes Stores will run as normal. “Dunnes Stores are open as normal, so you can get fresh food and essentials.”
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar addressed has said that even in supermarkets, clothes should not be sold, except for groceries.
Retail Excellence called on the government to take action to ensure that retailers limit their sales to essentials only.
The essential retail outlets include outlets selling health, medical, or orthopaedic items, and essential items for the health and welfare of animals. Laundries, dry cleaners, banks, post offices, credit unions, hardware shops, builders merchants, petrol stations, garages, and bicycle shops are also in the essential category.
It is unfair to keep non-essential shops open by selling PPE – Tánaiste
Tánaiste warns retailers against operating illegally despite COVID-19 restrictions and profiting from PPE sales.
The retailers have kept the shops open in the name of selling PPE. Mr. Varadkar said it is unfair that such shops are open and asked Garda to take stern action against this violation.
He said retailers, which are open at the level 5 restrictions, should follow the rules and “abide by the spirit of the regulations.”
Only essential items should be sold in stores. Workwear is essential, but general clothing is not, he said.
Tánaiste said businesses could reopen after six weeks of Level 5 restrictions. “I am confident we will get back to Level 3 and a bit in December…but at the same time we need to not be complacent,” he said.
He said that when people are told that things are getting better, it sends the wrong message and can lead them in the wrong direction.