Shopping Malls To Reopen From June 8: Govt Guidelines For Visitors, Management In 15 Points

With malls being allowed to open from next week, the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry on Thursday issued the SOP on preventive measures there to contain spread of Covid-19.

Shopping malls in containment zones will remain closed, and only those outside containment zones will be allowed to open up. (File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: After being completely shut for over 2 months due to the novel Coronavirus outbreak, shopping malls, restaurants and hotels across the country are all set to reopen from June 8 (Monday). In order to contain the further spread of the deadly virus, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday laid out new rules for the owners and public to following after Central government decided to unlock the country post two-months long lockdown. Sharing the guidelines to be followed in shopping malls, restaurants and hotels, government stated that certain rules are must for everyone to follow. These measures include staggering visitors and temperature screenings at malls. Thermal screening will be mandatory at entrance gates and all visitors will have to wear masks or cover their faces inside malls, restaurants and hotels.

.@MoHFW_INDIA issues Standard operating procedure (SOP) on preventive measures in shopping malls to contain spread of #COVID19

✅ Staggering of visitors to be done, if possible ✅ Maintaining physical distancing of a minimum of 6 feet Read here: https://t.co/ibApBbvvx0 pic.twitter.com/UPGQESp3dx — PIB India (@PIB_India) June 5, 2020

As per the Health Ministry guidelines, which will come into effect from Monday, all such places to ensure the protocol of social distancing. As preventive measure, those above the age of 65 years, children below the age of 10, persons with comorbidities and pregnant woman have been advised not to visit such places and stay at home. Shopping malls in containment zones will remain closed, and only those outside containment zones will be allowed to open up. The Ministry also said the shopping mall management must facilitate work from home wherever feasible. Here at 10 guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for shopping malls: 1. Entrance to have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) and thermal screening provisions. 2. Only asymptomatic customers/visitors shall be allowed. 3. All employees/customers/visitors will be given entry only if they using face cover/masks. The face cover/masks has to be worn at all times inside the shopping mall. 4. Adequate manpower shall be deployed by mall management in order to ensure social distancing norms. If possible, staggering of visitors to be done. 5. Proper crowd management in the parking lots and outside the premises - duly following social distancing norms shall be ensured. 6. Those shopping malls having valet parking shall operate with operating staff wearing face covers/ masks and gloves as appropriate. A proper disinfection of steering, door handles, keys, etc. of the vehicles should be taken up. 7. Any shops, stalls, cafeteria etc., outside and within the premises shall follow social distancing norms at all times. Specific markings may be made with sufficient distance to manage the queue and ensure social distancing in the premises. 8. The staff for home deliveries shall be screened thermally by the shopping mall authorities prior to allowing home deliveries. 9. Maintaining physical distancing of a minimum of 6 feet, when queuing up for entry and inside the shopping mall as far as feasible. 10. Number of people in the elevators shall be restricted, duly maintaining social distancing norms. Use of escalators with one person on alternate steps may be encouraged. 11. Large gatherings/congregations continue to remain prohibited. 12. Cleaning and regular disinfection (using 1% sodium hypochlorite) of frequently touched surfaces (door knobs, elevator buttons, hand rails, benches, washroom fixtures, etc.) to be made mandatory in all malls in common areas as well as inside shops, elevators, escalators etc. 13. In food-courts: a. Adequate crowd and queue management to be ensured to ensure social distancing norms. b. In food courts and restaurants, not more than 50% of seating capacity to be permitted. Tables to be sanitized each time customer leaves. c. Contactless mode of ordering and digital mode of payment (using e-wallets) to be encouraged. 14. Gaming Arcades shall remain closed. Children Play Areas shall remain closed. 15. Cinema halls inside shopping malls shall remain closed. Ground Report: Preparations At Shopping Malls Before They Reopen On June 8