According to recent data released by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the number of shoppers in Britain’s high streets, retail parks and shopping centres in May was 81.6% lower than during the same month a year ago, as most non-food stores remained closed due to the coronavirus lockdown.
Live from London as retail stores are resuming operations on Monday after almost three months of coronavirus-impelled closure, marking the country’s return to pre-pandemic life in line with Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s order in the end of May.
All stores are expected to ensure social distancing of 2 metres (6 feet) by applying special floor marking and controlling the number of customers, as well as to provide staff and customers with personal protective tools and use cashless payments where possible.
Health authorities in the UK have so far reported 294,379 COVID-19 cases, including over 41,600 fatalities.