Britons still flock to the shops for non-essential shopping

Not exactly essential shopping! Britons still flock to the shops to pick up bins, veg grow backs and the odd drone

  • Hundreds of shoppers were spotted at The Range in Plymouth early this morning
  • Many appeared not to be picking up ‘basic necessities’ as they should have been
  • Some looked eager to buy bins, fire pits and a variety of gardening equipment

Britons continue to flout the criteria for essential shopping – as shoppers were today seen snapping up plants, drones, mirrors and pillows.

In Plymouth, hundreds of shoppers were spotted at The Range, buying a variety of items not considered to be ‘basic necessities’.

The Government has said people should only leave their homes for ‘very limited purposes’.

But shoppers appeared to ignore the advice today as they snapped up bins, fire pits and a variety of DIY and gardening tools. 

One man was spotted buying a drone at The Range in Plymouth this morning. Not what one might call an essential purchase

Another was spotted buying a fire pit. But he did pair his purchase with a little milk - an item one could consider a 'basic necessity'

Another was spotted buying a fire pit. But he did pair his purchase with a little milk – an item one could consider a ‘basic necessity’ 

Others bought planters in the hopes of using the lockdown to work on their garden. But it's not clear whether this is really an essential purchase

Others bought planters in the hopes of using the lockdown to work on their garden. But it’s not clear whether this is really an essential purchase

One shopper snaps up a variety of potted plants while on a trip to The Range in Plymouth today

One shopper snaps up a variety of potted plants while on a trip to The Range in Plymouth today

Regulations brought after the lockdown give police the power to issue instant £30 fines to people who gather in groups of more than two people or leave their homes without good reason such as for work, food-shopping or exercise. 

The measures were introduced to help stop the spread of COVID-19 after thousands of Britons appeared to be ignoring advice on social distancing. 

A number of shops still open have implemented their own measures to ensure its customers do not further spread the contagious virus.

Many are only allowing a certain number of shoppers in at one time, while the rest have to queue outside in designated spaces, maintaining distance from each other.

Others bought pots of pain and weed killer while on a shopping trip to The Range today

Others bought pots of pain and weed killer while on a shopping trip to The Range today

A couple leave The Range in Plymouth with a large potted plant despite government advice stipulating that Britons should only leave their homes for 'basic necessities'

A couple leave The Range in Plymouth with a large potted plant despite government advice stipulating that Britons should only leave their homes for ‘basic necessities’ 

Two women leave The Range in Plymouth with bags of compost. The Government has said Britons should only leave their homes for essential goods

Two women leave The Range in Plymouth with bags of compost. The Government has said Britons should only leave their homes for essential goods

Coronavirus UK: New lockdown measures in full

People will only be allowed to leave their home for the following ‘very limited’ purposes:

Shopping for basic necessities as infrequently as possible.

One form of exercise a day.

Any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person. 

Travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary. 

Meanwhile, the PM has announced a ban on: 

Meeting with friends. 

Meeting with family members you do not live with. 

All weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies but excluding funerals. 

All gatherings of more than two people in public.  

The PM said the police will have the powers to enforce the lockdown measures through fines and dispersing gatherings. 

To ensure people comply the government is also: 

Closing all shops selling non-essential goods. 

Closing all libraries, playground,  outdoor gyms and places of worship.

Parks will remain open for exercise, but will be patrolled.