Shoppers Ignore Social Distancing Guidelines As They Queue Outside Nike Store

Hundreds of shoppers appeared to ignore social distancing guidelines as they queued up to get into a Nike store in London.

Photos have been shared online showing a reported 400 people lining up to get into the Nike Town store ahead of it reopening its doors this morning (15 June).

And after weeks of lockdown it appears as though some of them couldn't wait to get inside as they jostled to get through the doors, seeming not to be keeping two metres away from one another.

Speaking to the Metro, Ricky Young, who went out to buy some new trainers, said it felt as though everything had 'gone back to normal'.

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The 38-year-old said: "I actually thought people might have been sleeping or didn't want to go out.

"But the doors are open again, it's back to almost normal, back to business - but we just have to line up."

Fellow shopper Sammy, said they went down to see what was on offer and praised staff at he store for doing their best to cope with such a large number of people.

The 23-year-old said: "I brought protective equipment with me and despite it being a little bit crowded, they did all they could to put the measures in place and keep it under control.

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"They offered hand sanitiser, although I had some myself, and I have a protective mask."

Adding: "Nike is a global brand and everyone is after their products, so they are high in demand. People are going to queue up.

"Nike and other top retailers have done an excellent job shifting towards online, but some people prefer going into the shop, browsing around and seeing what's available."

Elsewhere, a woman was spotted taken extra precautions during a trip to Primark.

The woman, who was spotted at the Birmingham branch, was seemingly not willing to take any risks as she was covered head to toe in a PPE bodysuit.

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As well as the bodysuit complete with a hood, gloves and a face mask, the woman had a shopping bag lashed over her shoulder and a bumbag around her waist so she wouldn't need to doff her PPE to get at her bank card. Clever, eh?

Masks are recommended but not mandatory when entering shops in England, and many shoppers erred on the side of caution and could be seen wearing face coverings while queuing to get in.

Today is the first day that non-essential shops in England, such as Primark, have been allowed to open their doors since 23 March.

Topics: Coronavirus, Health

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]

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