Scientific Black Friday amid COVID-19

Nov 27, 2020

This year, it is different – the COVID-19 pandemic has sucked the fun out of Black Friday.

BLACK FRIDAY   SHOPPING

KAMPALA - As the norm has been, at the end of every November, shopping centres always have a Black Friday. By mid-night shopping centres are opened as overwhelming numbers of people pour in to buy discounted goods.

A shopper moving out of Shoprite supermarket after purchasing good of her choice. (Photo by Karim Ssozi)


This year, it is different - the COVID-19 pandemic has sucked the fun out of it. Unlike last years were people waited for mid-night to pour into some of the shopping centres, this time around due to curfew, supermarkets like Game and Shoprite opened at 7am in the morning.

Shoppers moving in a line to enter into Shoprite supermarket. (Photo BY Karim Ssozi)
Unlike the previous years were people pour into the supermarket, shoppers have to wait patiently in line. (Photo by Karim Ssozi)


Normally, Black Friday is a one-day event and it is on the last Friday of November. This time around, for example, Shoprite supermarket is holding a Black Friday for five days from November 25 to 29, 2020.

The more bizarre part is the taming of the crowds. The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are in full effect. Social distancing, putting on masks, sanitizing are key requirements for one to get access to the supermarkets.

The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are in full effect. (Photo by Karim Ssozi)


Unlike the previous years, this time around, you needed to be patient until your turn.

Long lines protrude from Shoprite's entrance into the parking lot. Security guards stand just in front of the lines; they let in a number of people at a time.

A shopper reading through a shopping guide as he waits patiently in the line. (Photo by Karim Ssozi)


It is quite tedious, but shoppers are patient - they are willing to persevere any conditions for a chance to shop for Christmas at a discount.

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