Tricity malls to open today, social distancing officers on guard

MOHALI: Malls in the Tricity will open after two months from Monday, with a slew of measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Operation managers of malls said they have appointed social distancing officers to ensure visitors strictly follow the norms. Malls have made a mobile application-based order system for food courts. Customers can order food through the app and then can go and pick-up their food stuff when the order is ready.
Rishab Malhotra, operations manager, V R Punjab Mall, said, "Apart from adhering to the guidelines issued by the state government, we will ensure that people follow the social distancing norms. We have appointed five officers for all three floors. According to the guidelines, we have a capacity of hosting 12,000 visitors. They will be allowed after showing Cova app at the entry. The visitors will also have to get a token before entering. We will not allow anyone to wait outside food courts."
Sunil Ahuja, operations manager, Bestech Mall, Phase XI, Mohali, said, "We will adopt a wait-and-watch policy before fully opening the takeaway services at food court. However, online delivery facility is on and customers can order online. We will not allow more than 150 visitors at one go within the mall premises. Security guards have been directed to keep a check on social distancing and those standing in close proximity. Shops will not be allowed to cater to more than five customers at a time."
They said there will no underground parking for now and open spaces outside the malls will be used for the same. With the passage of time, the underground parking will be opened.
Manmohan Singh Kohli, chairman, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Chandigarh and former chairman of CII, said, "The opening is a welcome step. We are not very hopeful or optimistic about business. It is a new way of life and we need to live with it."