Earlier this week reports began to arise that supermarkets in England would be forced to ban the sale of non-essential items when the country entered lockdown.
Wales had pushed through the ban on non-essential products in supermarkets at the start of its firebreak lockdown, in a bid to ensure a level playing field was kept between essential retailers and those which had been forced to shut.
Shoppers in England had feared the same rules would be put in place when the country entered lockdown, but this does not seem to be the case.
When asked if England will follow Wales' lead and ban the sale of all non-essential items in supermarkets on Thursday, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman told reporters: "No."
A Number 10 spokesperson said: "You’re familiar with how this operated in March, April and parts of May, and I would expect it to be the same again.”
Asked to explain why takeaway alcohol had to be purchased by phone or online during the shutdown, the Number 10 spokesman said: "My understanding is that particular restriction is in relation to the sale of alcohol which can be sold as part of a delivery service, including click-and-collect.
"The intention of that is to try to prevent people from gathering outside premises in advance in order to order alcohol.”
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