Indiana County bans sales of non-essential items

Howard County in Indiana has banned sales of non-essential items at essential businesses.

The move is a direct response to a passing of an ordinance by the Board of Commissioners of Howard County, directed at stores that have been deemed essential businesses to prevent them from selling non- essential items.  

Items included:

• Jewelry
• Furniture
• Home and Lawn Décor
• Toys and Games
• Carpets
• Rugs and Flooring
• Non-Essential appliances
• Music
• Books and Magazines
• Craft and Art Supplies
• Paint
• Entertainment Electronics

“This is not fair to the businesses that have closed in compliance with the County’s orders,” the Board says in the new ordnance, first reported by an Indiana newspaper yesterday. 

Under the ordinance, retailers like Kroger and Wal-Mart will have to place signage in effected departments as well, forbidding the sale of such items.

Howard County’s move could be adopted by other communities across the country in the near future in the name of fairness along with public health to prevent browsing by customers.

Such a move could cause retailers like Michaels, Best Buy and Barnes & Nobel, who have considered themselves essential under the Stay-at-Home order, to close down during the crisis. Additionally forcing businesses not currently close to shut their doors, such as Michaels, Best Buy, Barnes & Nobel and others who have deemed themselves as essential to the community.