Sir, – The debate over the sale of so-called non-essential items by the supermarket multiples during these current restrictions misses the point. The Covid-19 statutory instruments do appear to not specifically prohibit selling any products in an “essential retail outlet”. Sir, – I cannot visit my wife in hospital because of Covid-19 restrictions — a sensible rule. Sir, – I found myself writing to the Department of the Taoiseach this week: my subject-line was “Pyjamas and knickers are essential items”. This is achieved using rolls of see-through plastic and was continued in the arts section, on mid-term when children are home.

Source: The Irish Times October 31, 2020 06:22 UTC