Dad tries to shop in pants after clothes deemed ‘non-essential’ in Wales

WELSH dad Chris Noden, was thrown out of a supermarket after he tried to do his weekly shop just in boxers and a face mask.

Chris was stopped by security staff as he tried to push his trolley into the Tesco store in Newport, South Wales. His wife Dawn, 33, filmed him as he tried to access the store saying: ‘Clothes are non-essential – let him in.’

The Welsh government has introduced a ‘firebreak’ lockdown due to coronavirus where people have been told at stay at home where possible.

Non-essential shops have been ordered to close, while supermarkets are only allowed to sell ‘essential’ items. It has led to scenes of clothes and books being fenced off in large supermarkets to stop people from buying them.

Video shows Dawn telling the workers, ‘Your store’s policy says clothes are non-essential. ‘Let him in to buy some clothes. ‘This is beyond a joke. There are children out there growing that need clothes.’ But a security guard says, ‘He’s not appropriately dressed. Go and take it up with the government.” ‘You can’t come in dressed like that.’

When the staff say they won’t let him in, Dawn repeats: ‘So clothes are essential to day-to-day life?” The worker replies, ‘Of course they are.’ The couple was turned away but Dawn later posted the video online saying, ‘Please note that no lockdown rules were broken, nobody was put at risk, this non-essentials list is beyond a joke! Clothes aren’t essential are they, Mr Drakeford.

‘Chocolate, sugar, alcohol and tobacco all classed as essential items?’ Dawn said she posted the message in response to mum Chelsea Jones telling how she was unable to buy new pyjamas for her hospitalised daughter whose old clothes were covered in blood.

Chelsea said, ‘I have never felt so angry, frustrated or upset ever! You just never know when a “non-essential item” will become “essential” to you.’

Supermarkets have been told they must only sell essential items to discourage people from spending more time than necessary in shops and be fair to retailers who have to shut. More than 50,000 people have signed a petition submitted to the Welsh Parliament calling for the ban to be immediately reversed. The Welsh Government said it will review the ‘understanding, clarity and policy’ of the decision.