US Elections 2020: Stores, Businesses Boarded Amid Fears of Unrest

These measures come amid heightened uncertainty over the US election, being held in the middle of COVID pandemic.

As people across the US vote for their next president on Election Day on Tuesday, 3 November, several businesses and stores across the country have boarded up their properties amid anxiety over possible unrest and potential protests turning violent.

According to reports, buildings in Beverly Hills, storefronts in Miami, New York's shopping districts were among the many places that have been boarded up in the country.

Stores and windows in cities including New York, Washington, D.C. and Dallas, were boarded up as officials warned of potential unrest following Election Day. https://t.co/uVnCVhRqIe pic.twitter.com/Re6yeAXNf8

— ABC News (@ABC) November 2, 2020

I never thought I would see so many buildings here in the nation’s capital boarded-up on the eve of a presidential election in anticipation of possible unrest. And it’s not just in DC. It’s happening in New York, Los Angeles and elsewhere around the country. So sad! pic.twitter.com/fmPnUBbr8T

— Wolf Blitzer (@wolfblitzer) November 1, 2020

Downtown San Antonio is being boarded up #PrayForSanAntonio pic.twitter.com/Z8qb99iQqW

— 𝙻𝚊 𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚌𝚒𝚊 is social distancing (@210StacyY) November 3, 2020

National Guard troops have also been designated if any protest breaks out and if there is a request from the governors, the New York Times reported.

In capital Washington DC too, security measures have been stepped up, with a metal fence erected around the White House, it was further reported.

These measures come amid heightened uncertainty this time around over the US election, which is being held in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.

Concerns have been raised over whether Donald Trump will relinquish office or not (if he were to lose to his Democratic rival Joe Biden), and there's also a big question over when the results will actually be known.