The restrictions imposed on the stores are ill-considered and unjustified, said Noris Krūzītis, the executive director of the Latvian Food Traders Association.
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“Food retailers will no doubt be ready to meet the set limits, but many food retailers also sell goods that people need on a daily basis, and currently defined hygiene products do not cover the full range of products that people need on a daily basis,” said Krūzītis.
He explained that in large stores such goods have separate departments, but in small and especially rural stores they are often located next to groceries. It is difficult and economically unreasonable to select and separate tradable and non-tradable goods for holidays and public holidays, Krūzītis emphasized.
“In my opinion, the meaning of restrictions is to reduce people gathering and walking around, but illogical restrictions directly promote it, because if they are unable to buy the usual everyday goods in grocery stores, people will be forced to go to specialty stores,” Krūzītis said.
The head of the Association of Food Traders said that the ban on selling alcohol and cigarettes was also ill-considered. “If the idea was that it would be possible to restrict parties, then it is wrong. People will buy these goods on weekdays, it is also a holiday for the gray and shadow economy. In turn, traders who follow the restrictions will end up losing,” said Krūzītis.
He pointed out that the Ministry of Economics lacked the capacity to listen to rational arguments of the industry, thus causing unnecessary inconvenience to shops and shoppers, excluding from the range of goods allowed for sale a large number of daily necessities.
“Also, none of the Cabinet of Ministers has ever been interested in the situation in stores, what is the flow of buyers, at what times is the largest influx of buyers. Traders have this data, but the government with its decisions rearranges the flow of buyers incorrectly,” said Krūzītis.
It has already been reported that the sale of alcohol in stores will be banned on weekends during the emergency, according to the amendments adopted by the government on Tuesday to the order declaring the emergency.
It follows from the government’s decision that on December 5, a requirement will come into force that only pharmacies, including veterinary pharmacies, and shops will be allowed to operate on weekends and holidays, where only basic necessities, which mean foodstuffs, hygiene goods and fuel, may be sold. .
On weekends and holidays, only groceries, except alcohol, hygiene products and fuel, may be sold at points of sale.
The category “hygiene products” includes shampoos, dental hygiene products, toothbrushes, soaps, body washes, toilet paper, handkerchiefs, cosmetic wipes, towels, table napkins, sanitary napkins, tampons, nappies and face masks.
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