Malls reopen to less footfall, most shops remained closed on Day 1

Ludhiana: As the malls reopened after lockdown due to Covid-19, on Monday, these witnessed less footfall. However, the authorities managing the work at the malls are hopeful that the numbers will increase in the days to come.
As the malls reopened after March end, fewer number of customers were visible and many shops remained closed on the first day. However, adequate security measures were taken by the malls, most of which are located on Ferozepur road.
At the entry of all malls, there were either round marks or the authorities had got shoe stickers pasted for customers to tell them where to stand. After that, thermal scanning of the visitors was done before entering. The authorities were noting down the name, contact number of the visitor and then issued a token to them after which he/she was allowed inside.
A team of workers were sanitising the lifts, grills and doors, etc. A worker at a mall said that they were allowing the visitors only after thermal scanning and necessary checking. He added that only those wearing masks and having Cova app were allowed in.
A senior functionary at a private mall said the shops would open gradually as the staff, which had gone out, would take time to return. He confirmed that footfall had been less but hoped that the numbers would increase gradually after people get adapted to the new scenario.
Meanwhile, many residents said it would take time before people start going to malls. “As of now, the cases are there in the city, so people will have reservations to go to such places due to Covid-19 threat. However, once the cases are controlled, more people will go to malls. People are not even going to busy markets due to the threat,” said Kamaljeet Singh, a businessman of Model Town area.
A resident asking not to be named said a sizeable number of people, mostly parents of children, used to go to malls for watching movies, having food and for playing games, but many of them were avoiding this due to Covid threat. He added that scenario was expected to improve only after Covid vaccine comes in the market.
box: Some guidelines for malls
* For entering shopping malls, every person shall have Cova app on their phones. In case of a family, one person having the app shall be permitted to enter the mall. Loitering in the mall will not be allowed
* Entry to malls shall be based on a token system, based on the maximum capacity. Besides, a maximum time limit for a person/a group of persons entering the mall should also be enforced. The management shall ensure that no more than 50% of the maximum capacity shall at any point of time enter the mall or are present in a single shop
* Each shop shall have markers to indicate social distancing for those waiting to enter. Lifts shall not be used except in case of disabled persons or in medical emergency. Health team of the district shall regularly check the employees working in shops of the mall. Restaurants/food courts shall only allow takeaways