• Shoppers, some wearing face masks, walk along a busy Oxford Street in London, England, on December 5, 2020. Getty Images
    Shoppers, some wearing face masks, walk along a busy Oxford Street in London, England, on December 5, 2020. Getty Images
  • London has returned to Tier 2 or 'high alert' coronavirus restrictions since the end of the four-week, England-wide lockdown last Wednesday, which means meaning a reopening of non-essential shops and hospitality businesses. Getty Images
    London has returned to Tier 2 or 'high alert' coronavirus restrictions since the end of the four-week, England-wide lockdown last Wednesday, which means meaning a reopening of non-essential shops and hospitality businesses. Getty Images
  • Crowds of people listen to a busker in Covent Garden on December 5, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images
    Crowds of people listen to a busker in Covent Garden on December 5, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Residents in Tier 2 areas can socialise with anyone they live with or who is in their support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place. Outdoors they must observe the rule of six. Getty Images
    Residents in Tier 2 areas can socialise with anyone they live with or who is in their support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place. Outdoors they must observe the rule of six. Getty Images
  • Crowds in central London on Saturday, December 5. Getty Images
    Crowds in central London on Saturday, December 5. Getty Images

Busy London streets as shoppers flock post-lockdown in England


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  • Arabic

Crowds have gathered on the streets of London on the first weekend since the end of England's four-week lockdown on Wednesday. Some shoppers could be seen wearing face masks, as others chose to go without.

The British capital is now classified as Tier 2, or "high alert" in new coronavirus restrictions. Under the new tier, non-essential shops are allowed to reopen. It is hoped the move will improve a dismal year for the retail sector, with bumper sales in the run-up to Christmas.

Mixing of households outside support bubbles remains banned under the guidelines, although individuals can meet in groups of six outside.

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It is hoped that the opening of non-essential stores will give the retail sector a boost. On Saturday, December 5, London's Oxford Street and Regent Street were both packed with Christmas shoppers.

It has been a challenging year for retail. Last week, Debenhams launched a 70 per cent sale to shift remaining stock after announcing on Tuesday that all of its 124 UK stores are to close.

The collapse of Debenhams put the jobs of 12,000 employees at risk, a day after Philip Green's Arcadia fashion group entered administration, threatening about 13,000 jobs.

England's new tier system.
England's new tier system.
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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion

The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.

Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".

The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.

He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.

"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.

As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.

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Stage result

1. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix 4:42:34

2. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Hansgrohe

3. Elia Viviani (Ita) Ineos Grenadiers

4. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) BikeExchange-Jayco

5. Emils Liepins (Lat) Trek-Segafredo

6. Arnaud Demare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ

7. Max Kanter (Ger) Movistar Team

8. Olav Kooij (Ned) Jumbo-Visma

9. Tom Devriendt (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux

10. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) UAE Team Emirate