Ministers pledge to clamp down on retailers ‘gaming’ the Covid restrictions

The roundtable initiative comes after smaller retailers and some public representatives raised concerns around the “unfair” nature of how larger stores are seemingly unhindered by the temporary restrictions.

Last week Justice Minister Naomi Long complained that some retailers were trying to “game the system” in a way that could be considered legal, but was very much against the spirit of the legislation.

“It is hugely disappointing when some retailers try to game the system in order to be able to do things that they know they are not meant to be doing,” Mrs Long said.

“For example, we were very clear that stores that had over 50% of their floor space for essential goods such as food, we would allow that to remain open, and we know from anecdotal evidence and other things that some people are moving their food around to make it more than 50% – so we are looking very carefully at how we can actually make that much stronger,” she told the BBC’s The View programme.

Glyn Roberts of Retail NI has also complained of unfairness.

“It is blatantly unfair that local independent retailers who sell books, toys, clothes and homeware are unable to open nor operate a click and collect service while large supermarkets can remain open, sell these products and continue to make substantial profits,” he said.

At a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon, First Minister Foster expressed disappointment that some employers and business owners are requiring their staff to attend work when people can work from home, while some businesses should not be open at all.

“That’s quite a selfish spirit I have to say, and it’s not going to help us to beat the virus and keep people safe,” she said.

“And for those who say but someone else is doing it, as my mother used to say, if they put their hand in the fire, there is no need for you to follow it.”

Mrs Foster said she, along with Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill, will be speaking to the PSNI chief constable around compliance.

Ms O’Neill also expressed concern that some retailers not operating in line with the spirit of the restrictions.

“That’s not only unfair to the smaller retailers who are complying with the requirement to remain closed but it also goes against all the effort to stop the spread of coronavirus,” she said.

“We have agreed to convene an urgent roundtable meeting with the retail sector, including the larger retailers, supermarkets, supply chains, along with the councils and the head of the Health and Safety Executive.

“That will give us an opportunity to address the issues which we have identified as problems”.

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