Leader readers have reacted to the controversial list of what is deemed non 'essential items', that have seen supermarkets block off aisles and cover goods such as greeting cars, clothing - including baby clothes - and electrical items.

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ABSURD ACTIONS

WELSH Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford is being ridiculed in the national press over his instruction that shoppers in Wales are banned from buying "non-essential" items, and so he should be.

He has banned the sale of what he calls "non-essential" items, such as socks, yet it has emerged that alcohol can be sold - how "essential" is that?

Shelves containing "non-essential" items have been covered up with plastic sheeting in Tesco and Lidl. Crime scene style tape has been stretched over shelves of candles, and in another Tesco "no entry" signs are erected to block off children's clothing.

Welsh Conservative MS Andrew R.T. Davies tweeted: "The power is going to their heads". How right.

On the border with England, police forces prepared extra patrols to catch people making journeys not judged "essential" under the current fire-break lockdown.

This will stop my son, who lives in England, bringing things I have asked him to buy, due to my vulnerable status. Yet the police don't have enough officers to investigate burglaries and robberies.

By his absurd actions, Mr Drakeford is drawing shoppers into the arms of Amazon and other online retailers.

Then he will no doubt demand more money from England when the local shops are boarded up.

What a pathetic government we have here in Wales. K.F. Miller

WHEN WILL IT END

Can’t believe Welsh Government stopping supermarket chains from selling non essential goods - socks, pullovers, TV etc - but us allowing I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! to still be filmed in a well known North Wales fake castle, with minister Ken saying it “will be good for people’s health to watch”, therefore implying that buying socks etc could be bad for your health. Perhaps a government health warning stamped on articles of clothing.

Allowing certain sports matches to be played in empty stadiums with 40-60 people milling around with no face covering, no social distancing makes it farcical.

Don’t think even the best comedy script writers could come up with a plot to match this.

I am told that it’s only for a couple of weeks. What next I ask? Wonder if it could be essential shops only to open for two hours a day in a strict rotation known only to the few.

Perhaps if the First Minister and rural minster plant more trees in South Wales.

To me lost the plot doesn’t cover it, I’m sure they have a think tank that has virtual signalling as it mantra.

When will it end? Just don’t expect a politician, local or national, to provide answers. David Sharples, Wrexham