Greenhills Shopping Center prepares for reopening amid MECQ

The Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan will start to implement safety measures once they reopen the establishment to the public amid the modified enhanced community quarantine.

According to a 24 Oras report by Emil Sumangil on Monday, under the new policy, the number of customers allowed inside the establishment under the “new normal” would be 1,682, far from the usual 10,000.

Stalls on all floors would be required to have at least a two-meter distance from each other to avoid crowding.

Customers who will use the escalator will need to have a 3-step distance from each other as well, while only four people would be allowed inside the elevator at a time.

“Hinanda talaga namin ito para maging safe and secured kayo dito. Binago-bago namin ‘yong layout niya para magkakahiwalay ng malayo, mga 2 to 2.5 meters and distansiya niya bawat isang area,” Arch. Rene Bacani, head of Ortigas Mall, said.

Mall staff would also be required to wear a red ID, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said.

“Ang ibig sabihin noon ‘pag mayroon kang suot na ID na pula, na-screen ka na ng ating city health office, wala kang sintomas ng ubo, sipon, lagnat o anumang senyales na ikaw ay may COVID-19,” he said.

Meanwhile the Muslim prayer room and the Chapel of the Holy Family would remain closed to prevent mass gatherings.

It was reported in March that the fifth COVID-19 case in the country often visited the Muslim prayer room.

The fifth patient, a 62-year-old man with no travel history abroad, was confirmed to be the first case of local transmission of the novel coronavirus in the country.

Moreover, Zamora said he wanted San Juan to remain in MECQ to prevent a second wave of COVID-19 cases.

“Mas okay na sa akin ang slowly but surely. Kinakailangang balansehin natin ‘yong kaligtasan at kalusugan ng lahat at ang ekonomiya at ito ang paraan para gawin ‘yon. Sana manatili pa ng kaunti ‘yong modified ECQ,” he said.

“Aralin muna natin kung talaga bang handa na ang Metro Manila sa GCQ sapagkat sa MECQ naman nakikita nating nakakapagbukas na naman ‘yong mga negosyo eh,” Zamora added. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/DVM, GMA News