Malls reopen on first day of MECQ

Several malls in modified enhanced community quarantine areas of the Philippines have established measures to ensure the safety of shoppers as they reopened on Saturday.

According to a report on 24 Oras News Alert on Sunday, malls in Balanga, Bataan and Calamba, Laguna have already opened their doors — but only a few number of shoppers were allowed to enter at a time.

Meanwhile, only 50 percent of mall employees were also allowed to go to work due to the threat of COVID-19.

Safety measures such as wearing of face masks, checking of body temperatures, proper sanitation, social distancing and frequent disinfection were also strictly observed.

Shoppers were also required to stand on markings on the floor while waiting in line for their turn to buy inside establishments to ensure physical distancing.

Moreover, Vista Mall said it has strengthened safety and security protocols following the reopening of malls on Saturday, amid the new quarantine guidelines from the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

In a press statement, Vista Mall said it has also shortened mall hours and limited shops and services that were opened, apart from following safety and security protocols.

Regular disinfection of common areas and UV sterilization of escalator handrails, elevator buttons and ATM machines were also done, Vistal Mall said.

Furthermore, cinemas, play areas and rest areas remained closed to the public. Air-conditioning is regulated to 26 centigrade and free mall Wi-Fi was also disabled to prevent shoppers from loitering inside the mall.

All restaurants and dining establishments were allowed to operate on take-out and delivery only.

“Vista Mall reopening its doors is a step towards facing the new normal. With new paths being forged in navigating this new reality, Vista Mall remains committed to continue providing unparalleled service to its customers, business partners, and tenants,” it said.

Meanwhile, the excitement of the public with the start of looser quarantine restrictions on Saturday alarmed the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19, its spokesperson said on Sunday.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, NTF Against COVID-19 spokesperson retired General Restituto Padilla reminded the public to maintain caution against possible transmission of the virus.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government also warned malls that they will be ordered to close down by their respective local government units or the Philippine National Police if they do not strictly implement social distancing protocols and control the entry of people as prescribed by the omnibus guidelines issued by the IATF.

In a statement, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said he has directed all LGUs and the Joint Task Force COVID-19 to inspect all malls and talk to its management regarding their observance of the DOH Minimum Health Standards and Quarantine Protocols.

“All Chiefs of Police and PCP Commanders should make rounds of all malls prior to opening and during operating hours. If the malls are not able to comply with the minimum health standards, the PNP can close the malls and charge the mall owners with violation of the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act,” he said.

Año also reminded the public that the opening of some industries does not mean the PNP will be less strict in implementing the law. All PNP checkpoints will remain in areas under quarantine, he added.

Metro Manila, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga including Angeles City, Zambales and Laguna shifted to MECQ on Saturday.

Cebu City and Mandaue City were still under ECQ while the rest of the country was put under general community quarantine (GCQ), which implement more relaxed restrictions. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/LA, GMA News