TESCO has been forced to apologise after mistakenly barring shoppers from buying sanitary products as part of new lockdown measures in Wales.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said yesterday that supermarkets have "discretion" over the ban on selling non-essential items during the nation's firebreak lockdown.
But today Welsh customers seeking period products said they found the pharmaceuticals area of their local Tesco blocked off.
"I'm literally raging and in tears @Tesco how the hell is beer essential and PERIOD PRODUCTS are non-essential... this is RIDICULOUS," tweeted @nicholasmith6.
When another customer sent a tweet to the company about the issue, it responded: "We understand how frustrating these changes will be for our Welsh customers.
"However, we have been told by the Welsh Government not to sell these items for the duration of the firebreak lockdown."
My daughters reply from Tesco 😡😡😡 #lockdownwales @WelshGovernment @fmwales pic.twitter.com/uSHPK28nGw
— Nichola-Louise 💞🏴💞 (@nicholasmith6) October 26, 2020
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The Welsh Government later corrected Tesco, tweeting: "This is wrong – period products are essential.
"Supermarkets can still sell items that can be sold in pharmacies.
"Only selling essential items during firebreak is to discourage spending more time than necessary in shops. It should not stop you accessing items that you need."
The company has now apologised, adding that the issue was localised to one store and is being urgently rectified.
"Of course sanitary products are essential items and are available to customers in all of our stores including those in Wales," a spokesperson said.
"The reply to this customer was sent by mistake and we're very sorry for any confusion caused."
The supermarket also claimed that the pharmaceuticals area of the St Mellons store was actually cordoned off due to a break-in.
South Wales Police said officers are investigating a burglary at the supermarket in which £20,000 of beauty products, including make-up, electric toothbrushes and razors, were stolen between 2.30am and 4.30am on Monday.
"Of course sanitary products are essential items and are available to customers in all of our stores, including those in Wales," a Tesco spokesman said.
"Due to a break-in, this area was closed temporarily in one store for a police investigation, but is now open again.
"The reply to this customer, which implied these products were non-essential, was sent by mistake and we're very sorry for any confusion caused."
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