Coronavirus: Criticism of shops selling Easter eggs during Covid-19 outbreak is wrong, says trade body

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Shop owners can continue selling Easter eggs during the coronavirus pandemic, a trade body has announced after reports officials had told them the products were non-essential. “The government has defined which stores can remain open, and that includes convenience stores, including newsagents and off-licences,” said ACS chief executive James Lowman. “There is no government definition of which products can be sold within those stores.” He added: “In the cases where officers have challenged retailers and shoppers in this way, it’s brought confusion, distracted retailers in the busiest weeks of their lives and increased the interactions between people at a time when the government is trying to minimise them.” According to official government guidance, off-licences, supermarkets, pharmacies as well as newsagents and corner shops are permitted to stay open during the pandemic.