In an effort to appease small business owners, the French government changed course on Tuesday and banned large supermarkets from promoting anything other than “essential items” during the existing closure.
The closure, which took place on 28 October to halt the increase in infection rates in Covid-19, infuriated small businesses by being forced to close under established situations through the government.
Retailers of clothing, toys and flowers, among others, were that, even if closed, consumers could continue to purchase the same products from larger competitors.
Under the initial closing conditions, supermarkets were allowed to open because they sold the essentials, but they were also allowed to continue to promote everything else.
Local mayors had even given the word green, as opposed to government authority, that small businesses could reopen on Monday.
In a quick response, French Prime Minister Jean Castex banned local mayors from allowing small products to be opened to promote non-essential products and banned all primary supermarkets from promoting non-essential items.
Fundamentally, as indicated in The Local, these regulations apply to distributors and not buyers, so the policy will not confiscate parts if they have been purchased but are not “essential”.
To clear up the confusion, the new decree prohibits the sale of parts, only lists the pieces that can be sold, such as all kinds of food and beverages and other things like DIY and fitness products.
Jean Castex told French broadcaster TF1 that he had closed non-essential corridors in supermarkets, which allowed small outlets to reopen in the call for equity and physical security, Le Monde reported.
He said he would review the resolution in 15 days and then return to the end of the arrest scheduled for December 1.
The resolution went into effect on Tuesday, but primary supermarkets have until the end of the day, Wednesday, November 4, to show leniency on items that consumers might need to buy but might not be “essential. “