Everything You Want to know about Safety While Shopping In Malls now

To ensure extra safety and added social distancing norms, the safety measures taken by shopping malls include maintaining a certain number of footfall. Beyond specific numbers, the mall officials would not allow individuals to enter. They are trying to bring forth a balance in the number of people who enter the mall and the ones who leave. In fact, a ticker to calculate the same has also been installed by malls. They have a constant update on the number of people who have entered the mall. Accordingly, depending on the size of the shopping mall and the open space they have, the security allows people to enter the mall. In case it crosses the specific number designated by them, the security would ask the people to wait outside in line, one hand distance, of course, until the number in the ticker is balanced. The shopping malls do plan to make some changes as and when the festive season arrives. The footfall during the festive season in shopping malls is bound to expand, so the officials are preparing for the same.

As part of the safety protocols followed by shopping malls during COVID-19, individuals are screened for their temperatures at the entrance by the security. The idea behind the thermal screening is for them to keep track of whether you fall in the accepted temperature. Accordingly, they allow customers to enter the mall. In case your temperature is above 98 degrees, you will be asked to return as they cannot take any risks. This is for the safety of the other customers who visit the shopping mall during a lockdown. These screenings conducted by the shopping malls are further recorded in their system. In case of any changes in the temperatures of the person following a visit to the mall, the mall would take measures accordingly. You will notice that as you enter the shopping mall, not only would they take a thermal screening of your temperature but also take a picture of you to record in their system.

Without the Aarogya Setu App, individuals will not be allowed within the mall. This is a safety norm that is followed in shopping malls. The Aarogya Setu app helps the security screen where the individual is coming from and whether they are from the safe zone. As individuals from the hotspots are not allowed to travel outside, the app enables the security to confirm the same. Further, it also keeps a record of any travel activities that you undertook ahead of entering the shopping mall. If you have completed your quarantine period and are healthy enough to enter the mall, the security will accordingly allow you to enter the vicinity. Hence, you will be asked to download the app and show your status at the entrance. This helps them get a better perspective over the safety of the mall and whether you should be allowed to venture out during COVID-19.

The use of elevators has been reduced drastically as limited people are allowed in a closed space. Not more than two or three people are allowed in the elevator to follow social distancing in public spaces. In fact, only under special circumstances, the customers are allowed to use the elevator. The safety tips followed by shopping malls is to encourage individuals to use the escalator instead of the elevators.

Many malls have undertaken the 6 ft distance on escalators. You might have probably seen videos of how there are footprints painted at every sixth step on an escalator. Every individual must follow this six-feet distance. In fact, there are security guards who have been stationed to guard these escalators in the malls and ensure that everybody is following the said norm. They will pull you up and tell you to step on the footprint that has been painted on the escalator. The idea is to follow social distancing at every junction and space. Even if you have entered the mall with someone, you will still need to follow this protocol. Further, you cannot hold hands and waltz within the mall as it negates the social distancing norm that has been put in place.

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With a view to avoiding contact at all cost, a majority of the stores within the malls have come up with contactless payment options and getaways. This allows customers not to have any contact with the cashier whatsoever. You will also feel safer as contactless payment helps you with bulk purchases and also keeps everything in the record. The process of contactless payment also follows the protocols that have been set by the WHO and CDC. Since social distancing is one of the most important things to follow, the payment procedure makes a lot of sense. Further, it assures the safety of the cashier as well as the customer. It is a win-win for both the parties involved. This act helps enhance your confidence in the safety tips and measures followed by the shopping malls during COVID-19

Aside from all the rules that the malls follow while the customers are present, they also ensure to conduct proper cleaning protocols to be certain that they do not become a breeding ground for COVID-19. The safety and hygiene guidelines that are shared by the WHO and CDC. These include regular sanitization of the property and every public space objects that could have been touched. For example, the door handles to stores in a mall, the handrail supporting stairs and escalators, the guard rails and more. Similarly, they also use the sanitizers that have been suggested by the CDC to ensure that the customers who do visit the mall do not end up getting sick. Many points within the mall have also been installed with contactless hand sanitizers to encourage the customers to utilise them and follow the practice.

Maintain social distancing while shopping- this is a responsibility for yourself and towards others too. Pay attention to your phone- as you carry it wherever you go- it could carry germs too- disinfect its surface area- wipe the screen with a tissue and some disinfectants. Also try shopping alone and not in a group and avoid going out if your health feels not up to the mark. Afterall Prevention is far better than Cure.

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