People Baffled By Size Of Queue Outside JD Sports As Shops Reopen

It's a day that millions of people have been waiting for: shops and pubs are finally back open. But while many of us have booked the day off to enjoy the sunshine from the comfort of a local beer garden, some have raced back to the high street, with people piling into JD Sports.

In footage shared on social media, hoards of people can be seen crowding around the entrance to a store on Oxford Street, London.

As the shutters open for the first time in months, the crowd surges inside, keen to get their hands on some nice sportswear, possibly some sharp athleisure.

After seeing the bizarre clips, people online were bemused as to why so many people were seemingly so desperate to get into the retailer.

Writing on Twitter, one user said: "People queuing to get into a JD sports outlet could be one of the most tragic things I've ever seen."

Another said: "There is absolutely no need to ever be queuing at JD SPORTS at 8am. Outrageous behaviour."

"Queuing from midnight for Footlocker & JD Sports... what is this obsession with buying trainers!!!!" asked a third.

While another added: "My brain cannot fathom why you'd spend your Monday morning queuing to get into... JD SPORTS?!"

But if you haven't been using today's newfound freedoms to stand in line for hours to get into your local JD Sports, and have instead ventured out to the pub, or are planning to, then there are a few things you need to know.

PA

In accordance with government guidance, punters will need to follow a few changes to regular pub etiquette.

For a start, as of today the rule of six is back in play for outdoor hospitality, which means you can meet up with up to five people from other households.

You will also need to sign into the NHS Test and Trace app.

If you don't have a smartphone, pubs have been told to implement systems to ensure they can still collect a customer's information for tracing purposes.

Much like last summer, pub-goers will need to be sat at a table to order their drinks and food - pub or restaurant staff will come to your table to take your order or you might be able to order via an app.

Ordering at the bar is still not allowed but you can pay at the till 'as a last resort'.

Tables and seats outside will be set out adhering to social distancing rules, meaning they'll be either two metres apart or 'one metre plus' with risk mitigations where two metres isn't possible.

And unlike last time, you won't have to order a 'substantial meal' to go alongside your booze.

This means no sitting there wondering if some curly fries or a slice of chocolate fudge brownie constitutes a full meal - and the 10pm curfew has also been scrapped.

Topics: covid, Shopping, Coronavirus, Twitter, Weird, Health, London, Covid-19

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

@SmithersDom