What to expect when malls open on Wednesday

After almost four months, the Maharashtra government has allowed malls to open from Wednesday August 5th as part of Unlock 3.0. Here’s what to expect and what some malls are doing to protect customers.

What to Expect?
To begin with, consumers are expected to wear masks and follow all social-distancing norms. Phoenix Mills, which has already started implementing safety and hygiene protocols to protect customers and employees, recommends that customers maintain a 4-step distance from other consumers when using facilities like escalators. For lifts, no more than three people are recommended.

To help consumers navigate the new normal, Phoenix Mills has listed on their website some of the safety precautions they’ve adopted to provide consumers with a safe shopping experience such as contactless parking and payment, sanitisation mats at the entrance to disinfect footwear, real-time customer density monitors to regulate crowds, automated temperature scans, UV sanitisation of handbags at the entrance and an UV box for disinfecting shopping bags post purchase.

Are trials allowed?
Despite safety precautions, a key apprehension most consumers still have is how safe it will be to try on clothes before purchase without risking themselves or those around them.

Anticipating this concern, Phoenix Market City, Kurla, High Street Phoenix and Palladium in Lower Parel have reserved ‘trial clothes’ at multiple apparel stores for customers to try on. This merchandise is steam ironed before and after every trial and can be dropped in sanitation boxes placed at the store.

Unlock 2.0 Making You Nervous? Here’s How You Can Keep Reopening Anxiety At Bay

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Time Full Of Uncertainties

Unlock 2.0 comes as a welcome relief after months of being stuck indoors. But even as shops, saloons and workplaces open, there is a spike in virus-induced anxiety that people are feeling.

According to the latest LinkedIn Workforce Confidence Index, less than one-fourth of millennials are ready to go back to the office and would prefer working remotely until they felt safe being around other people. In addition, uncertainties around economic recovery, job security, personal safety and the impact on compensation continue to weigh heavily on everyone’s minds.

With all the uncertainties that lie ahead, it makes sense that people are feeling increasingly on edge. If this sounds familiar, here are a few strategies you can use to help keep that ‘reopening anxiety’ at bay.