Precautions for lifting restrictions Shopping Malls

Menu Joy

AIM

To provide research-based guidance on how best to facilitate the safe and gradual restoration of use of Shopping Malls, and have measures in place to protect the health of customers and employees by reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission during visits to the malls as much as practicable.

REGULATING ENTRY AND EXIT

Open 50% of entry points only to ensure premises does not become overcrowded (considering floor plan and emergency and fire safety).
Reduced numbers of people to 30% of maximum capacity of the mall.
Thermal screening of employees and customers (entry prohibited for those over 38 degrees).
Ehteraz App to be downloaded by all employees and customers, and check that the status is green to allow entry.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

Reduce Mall capacity to 30% (to include shops that are already permitted to trade).
No shop under 300 meters square will be opened (NOTE: Exception for shops that are already permitted to trade, e.g. pharmacies).
Restrict the capacity of customers and employees in shops, and in malls in general, to ensure 9 meters square minimum of space per person.
A minimum distance of 1.5 meters between customers should be kept(except for family groups), including in queues.
Remind customers of social distancing requirements - Clear and visible signage
Use floor markings to maintain social distancing.
No sales, or activities that draw large crowds are permitted.
Decrease lift capacity.
Each shop should have a sticker or poster at its entrance indicating the maximum occupancy.

INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Masks to be worn by all staff and customers.
Employees must undergo regular testing as per MOPH guidance (at employers’ cost).
Disposable gloves may be worn by managers and staff during Mall operations if needed. However, frequent hand sanitization may be a better option than gloves which can be a source of contamination if not used appropriately used, and should be replaced as per MOPH policy and guidance).
All regularly touched surfaces should be disinfected frequently using standard disinfection products.
Provision of hand sanitizer at entrances and promote hand hygiene practice.
Use physical barriers between staff (e.g. cashiers) and customers where practical.
Salespersons and other mall staff must remain conscious all the time about maintaining the minimum safe distance from customers as face masks may cause people to relax their guard about the safe distance).
All Mall employees should be educated about not going to work if they develop respiratory symptoms or fever and should report sick to their employer.
Public toilets shall be cleaned and disinfected regularly after each use.
Disinfection and cleaning of malls should be done at night after closing hours to minimize interaction of housekeeping with customers and sales persons.

HANDLING OF PRODUCTS

Minimize handling of products by employees and customers – product lists on display, pre-bagged orders for on-line pick up.
Eliminate samples of products to reduce risk of contamination.
Discontinue use of display items that cannot be cleaned and sanitized.
No test products / reusable samples (along with any tools to apply makeup) will be permitted.
Customers are not allowed to try on items such as earrings, rings, etc.

SHOPPING BAGS

Re-usable bags: should not be used – recyclable paper bags or single use plastic should be used instead.

MONEY HANDLING

Shops should minimize cash transactions and encourage the use of cards for payments.
Clean and disinfect the card payment equipment after each use.

EDUCATION & AWARENESS

Keep employees and customers updated on COVID-19 safety and prevention information and guidelines. Emphasis that protecting public health is paramount to the Mall. Use MOPH health messages and materials. Let customers know what steps you are taking to keep them safe.

ONLINE ORDERS

Implement and encourage taking orders online and deliver or use pick-up services.

OPENING HOURS AND PARKING

Opening hours restricted to 8 am – 8 pm daily.
No weekend opening.
Parking spaces shall be restricted through controlling the number of customers and ensure the cars are parked away from each other.
Customers limited to 3 hours inside the Mall.

TO REMAIN CLOSED

Service areas such as prayer rooms.
Leisure centres such as gyms, beauty salons, children’s salons, cinemas, play areas.
Food courts remain closed except for delivery or pick up.
Public toilets, except for employees, older visitors, and emergencies only.
Changing Rooms.

VULNERABLE GROUPS

Special considerations made for vulnerable groups to keep them safe and protected e.g. fast track access and service.
Children aged 12 and below are not allowed to enter the shopping Malls.
Vulnerable groups are advised to stay at home.

COVID-19 Services Assistant خدمة المساعدة الخاصة بكوفيد-19