Chaos on London's Oxford Street as thousands defy social distancing to shop again

The high street is officially back in business, with thousands of retailers reopening today for the first time since March 23.The high street is officially back in business, with thousands of retailers reopening today for the first time since March 23. New rules mean non-essential stores can trade again - but with strict new safety measures in place to prevent a second coronavirus outbreak. However, alarming scenes on Oxford Street in London paint a very different picture, as thousands gathered on Monday, following the three month lockdown. Concerning images showed crowds defying the two metre gap outside Primark and Nike's flagship branch, despite it now being a legal requirement. 

A group of people on a city street: Huge queues outside the Nike store on Oxford Circus© Martyn Wheatley / i-Images Huge queues outside the Nike store on Oxford CircusIt's prompted fears of a second outbreak as coronavirus cases fall to a 11-week low in the UK, after claiming more than 41,000 lives.One twitter user wrote: "People are queuing on Oxford Street for loungewear while Beijing is now locked down to avoid a second wave.

" Spectators maintain social distancing rules as they attend an opera at the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, on May 26, 2020, after a two-month closure aimed at stemming the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus. - (Photo by DENIS LOVROVIC / AFP) (Photo by DENIS LOVROVIC/AFP via Getty Images) Even as the world continues to battle the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, several countries, where the daily growth of new infections has reduced, are beginning to take tentative steps to ease lockdown measures in order to allow citizens to move freely for the first time in weeks and to revive the economy. Click through to take a look at photos showing how countries are slowly and cautiously trying to return to normalcy.(Pictured) Spectators maintain social distancing rules as they attend an opera at the Croatian National Theatre, which opened after two months, in Zagreb, Croatia, on May 26, 2020.Note: Steps taken by countries to put the lockdown into reverse are subject to change/modifications.

The slideshow is updated as of May 31.Face coverings - although not compulsory - were also scarce, as fans swarmed around windows, desperate for a glimpse of the latest summer stock.It comes after Boris Johnson told the nation they could "shop with confidence" from Monday, while Chancellor Rishi Sunak insisted it would be "safe" to do so.a group of people standing in front of a building: Alarming: Thousands of people crowd around Oxford Street as stores reopen to the public© Martyn Wheatley / i-Images Alarming: Thousands of people crowd around Oxford Street as stores reopen to the public However, business Secretary Alok Sharma has warned that enforcement action will be taken against shops who break safety guidance.From Monday, high streets and shopping centres, including Debenhams, John Lewis, Zara and House of Fraser, will be allowed to reopen again following the coronavirus shutdown. 

However, in order to operate, businesses must follow the government's Covid-ready guidelines, and pass a coronavirus risk assessment.Under the rules, fitting rooms will be closed, large families will be banned and customers will be urged to pay using a cashless method where possible.One-way systems and barriers will also be put in place, in measures that will replicate how supermarkets have operated throughout the crisis. Shoppers will be asked to sanitise their hands upon entry - and customers will only be allowed to touch items they intend to buy.The new rules and measures will be clearly set out with posters, signs and visual aids on windows and doors before customers enter branches.

Only one person per household will be allowed in at a time, unless you are a parent with a young child.And every shop with five employees or more will have to complete a written risk assessment - detailing how it plans to keep staff and customers safe. Screens and barriers will be installed and all retail stores will have 'drop off areas', where goods can be transferred over to colleagues. Anything that has been tried on will also have to be stored away from sale for 72 hours or thoroughly cleaned before being returned to the shop floor.What other guidelines will be in place?Shops will have to set a maximum number of customers allowed in at any one time to maintain two-metre social distancing. Services which cannot be provided without breaching social distancing will be suspended - this could include fitting and measuring services. Shops will have to reduce contact between customers with systems such as one-way walking around the store.Shops will have to work with the local area to provide additional parking and bike racks to avoid use of public transport.

Queuing should be done outside a shop, not inside, or in a car park - outside queues must be managed to minimise risk.Shopping centres will have to regulate the number of people allowed in and manage queuing.All retailers will need clearly designated positions from which colleagues can provide advice or assistance to customers whilst maintaining social distance. Rules for shoppersFrom Monday, customers will be asked to pay with contactless where possible - such as via a smartphone or contactless payment card.While queuing and browsing, you'll also have to observe the two metre gap and one-way arrows in stores. Retailers such as John Lewis say customers will have to stand eight metres apart on escalators.

Outside stores, you'll have to queue in a line - guidance on this will be displayed on store windows. You won't be able to queue via a car park.Where possible, shop on your own or with just one other member from your household. Kids won't be turned away, but it's advised that you only shop with children where absolutely necessary. If you're heading out by car, remember some parking areas will have limited spaces to manage congestion. Check with your local authority for extra parking and bike racks as the Government says you should avoid public transport where you can.When shopping, be aware that fitting rooms will be closed and testers will be unavailable. If you return an item, it will be placed on hold for 72 hours. While browsing, aim to only touch items you intend to buy.

Reference : The Miror Emma Munbodh 14 hrs ago  June 15th 2020