Mother-of-three Aisha, who spoke to a reporter as she collected food donations from a community centre in Birmingham, said: "I am usually really good with my budget. Their father, who I'm divorced from, usually pays for their uniforms but he got ill and he couldn't work, so I bought them this time.
Women have hit out at Tesco after they were unable to buy sanitary products in a Welsh branch
The Twitter user was told the items are banned by the Welsh government during the shutdown
It comes as major supermarkets - including this branch of Sainsbury's in Cardiff - use plastic sheeting to cover items like school uniformCredit: Wales News Service
Tesco has blamed the Welsh government for the row - claiming ministers said the period products can't be sold throughout the country’s 17-day Covid lockdown.
A move by the supermarket to cordon off period items with barriers sparked fury.
One shopper, who gave her name as Katie, tweeted the supermarket giant to ask: "Can you explain why I was told today that I can't buy period pads as I'm sure they are essential to women?!!!
"But I can buy alcohol - it doesn't make sense."
Another tweeted to say: "I’m literally raging and in tears.
"Tesco, how the hell is beer essential and PERIOD PRODUCTS non-essential."
A Tesco PR representative replied to Katie: "We understand how frustrating these changes will be for our Welsh customers.
"However, we have been told by the Welsh Government not to sell, these items for the duration of the firebreak."
But the chain later apologised for getting it wrong after government officials clarified that the products can be sold.
In a tweet, a spokesperson from the authority said: "This is wrong - period products are essential.
"Supermarkets can still sell items that can be sold in pharmacies.
"Only selling essential items during firebreak is to discourage spending more time than necessary in shops.
So, what does count as essential in Wales?
Welsh people can buy products that would normally sold in:
Food and drink retailers (including off licences)
Newsagents
Building supplies and hardware stores
Pharmacies and chemists
Bicycle shops
Petrol stations
Garages and vehicle hire businesses
Post offices, banks, building societies and similar
Pet shops
Agricultural and aquacultural supplies shops
Livestock markets and auctions
Batteries, light bulbs and rubber gloves may continue to be sold.
The rules state: "Businesses which would normally sell a range of products in their stores may only sell those items which fall into the categories above.
"This is likely to mean some areas of stores should be closed to customer access. It will be important though for such stores to manage access to different categories of goods in a way that ensures customers and staff can circulate safely within the store.
"Some products may need to remain available to avoid creating unnecessary constraints on a mixed product aisle to the safe circulation of customers."
"It should not stop you accessing items that you need."
Now, Tesco says: "Of course sanitary products are essential items and are available to customers in all of our stores, including those in Wales.
"The reply to this customer was sent by mistake and we’re very sorry for any confusion caused."
It comes as officials in the country face a huge backlash over their definition over what counts as essential - and what doesn't.
During the new shutdown, which came into force at 6pm on Friday, stores are unable to sell clothes to customers and staff are being told to prioritise the sale of "important" essential goods.
Stunned shoppers shared images of aisles being cordoned off.
It comes as supermarkets were ordered to stop selling non-essential items during a 17-day firebreak lockdown
Warm winter coats, duvets and cleaning products like mops have been classed as non-essential under the order
Tens of thousands of people have signed a petition contesting the new policy
Now First Minister Mark Drakeford says there will be a review of the measureCredit: Matthew Horwood
One mum said it was 'madness' that cleaning supplies aren't on sale in the middle of a pandemic
The terms of the new measures are far harsher than the original March lockdown - when supermarkets weren't banned from selling any items.
More than 50,000 people have now signed the largest-ever Senedd petition contesting the rules on 'non-essential goods'.
Rules descended further into confusion today as ministers said people can buy non-essential goods in supermarkets - but only if they are essential.
Labour leader Mr Drakeford and his team have risked compounding the chaos by saying that shops can now use their 'discretion'.
Health minister Vaughan Gething said customers should be allowed to buy "otherwise non-essential goods" if there were "exceptional circumstances" that meant they were essential.
Mr Gething told Sky News this morning that they were "clarifying" the rules.
"We are looking to have that clarity for everyone so you don’t see cards for example sealed up in one shop but available in another," he said.
"If there really are exceptional circumstances and someone needs what would otherwise be a non-essential item, that that can happen as well."
In addition, police have been carrying out spot checks on people travelling in the country.
"The situations people find themselves in are just unbearable," said organiser Sadie Hasler, 40, from Southend. "The stigma that comes with maybe being a single parent, and trying to do the best thing by your child, and society just kind of constantly wants to keep elbowing you in the ribs for it."
"The situations people find themselves in are just unbearable," said organiser Sadie Hasler, 40, from Southend. "The stigma that comes with maybe being a single parent, and trying to do the best thing by your child, and society just kind of constantly wants to keep elbowing you in the ribs for it."
