Despite 60,000 Deaths in UK, Crowds Flock to Department Stores After Lockdown Lifted

Department Store Filled with 'No Mask' Crowds
Enjoying Christmas Shopping After Lockdown Easing

On the 5th, the area in front of Harrods department store in London, UK, was filled with a crowd not wearing masks. Photo by Pierce Morgan, Twitter capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] As the number of deaths from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK surpassed 60,000, Harrods department store in London has become a hot topic for the large crowds gathered without wearing masks. On the first weekend after the nationwide lockdown in the UK was lifted, photos of shopping streets packed with young people not wearing masks spread on social media, sparking outrage among netizens worldwide.

On the 6th (local time), the UK Daily Mail and others reported, "The bustling shopping streets on the first weekend when Christmas shopping became possible after the easing of the lockdown raised concerns about the further spread of COVID-19."

They also introduced the situation at Harrods, a representative luxury department store in London, and the Nottingham Christmas Market in central England.

On the 5th, people gathered near Harrods department store in London, UK. Photo by Save Knights Club Twitter capture

The Daily Mail reported, "On the first weekend after the easing of the lockdown on the 2nd, crowds poured out to take advantage of Christmas sales with discounts of up to 80%," adding, "Hundreds of young people gathered without wearing masks or observing social distancing."

The area near Harrods was crowded with shoppers visiting the department store and surrounding shops, eventually prompting police intervention and the arrest of four people. Two were charged with disorderly conduct, one with violating COVID-19 guidelines, and the remaining one with violating public order.

On the 5th, a large crowd gathered at the Christmas market 'Winter Wonderland' held in the Nottingham area of central England. Photo by Joe Cox Brown, captured from Twitter.

On the same day, Melrose Group, which opened the year-end special market 'Winter Wonderland' in Nottingham, temporarily suspended operations the next day after hundreds of people gathered on the first day, making social distancing impossible.

Melrose Group stated, "Due to an unprecedented crowd, we will temporarily close the market on the 6th," adding, "This happened because the demand of citizens, suppressed by city restrictions, exploded."

On social media, not only photos of crowds at the London department store but also pictures of Covent Garden, where people gathered late into the night after the curfew start time was delayed from 10 PM to 11 PM, have been shared, triggering a wave of criticism.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.