SM Supermalls to shoppers: Observe "safe distancing"
Published May 21, 2020 12:00 am
By Jhon Aldrin Casinas
The country’s retail giant SM Supermalls has appealed to shoppers to observe social distancing inside their shopping malls amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Customers observing social distancing measures while waiting in a queue to pay at a cashier at a mall in Manila on May 18, 2020. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)
Bien Mateo, SM Supermalls senior vice president for operations, reiterated the call on May 21, Thursday, saying that it is everyone’s responsibility to observe such safety measures as part of the “new normal” while there is an ongoing health crisis.
“Nakikiusap po kami na kung pupunta po kayo sa ating mga shopping malls ay i-practice po natin ang mga patakaran tulad ng safe distancing (We ask that if you go to our shopping malls, we should practice the guidelines such as safe distancing),” Mateo said at the Laging Handa press briefing.
For over two months, the once crowded shopping malls in the country fell silent as the national government imposed strict quarantine measures to curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Now with the easing of restrictions in areas that were once placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), shopping malls were allowed to resume limited operations with safety protocols in place to protect the public from possible infection.
For the resumption of their operations, Mateo said all employees of SM Supermalls must undergo rapid testing before they will be allowed to report to work. “Alinsunod na rin po sa panawagan ng gobyerno at ng mga local government sa mga kompanya. ‘Yun po ay pinapatupad namin sa ngayon (This is in line with the call of the government and the local governments to the companies. That's what we're doing right now),” he said.
He said only half of their total employees were required to report to work while others were allowed to work from home. “Kahit ganyan naman po ang ating sitwasyon ay nangako ang SM Supermalls na patuloy nilang matatanggap ang buo ng kanilang sweldo (Despite our situation, SM Supermalls promises that will continue to receive their salaries in full),” Mateo assured.
As part of their safety measures, Mateo said the mall’s “high-touch” points and comfort rooms are sanitized every 30 minutes. High traffic areas such as the supermarket, hardware stores, and pharmacies are also being strictly monitored to ensure that social distancing is observed. Moreover, mall goers have to undergo temperature checks upon entering the mall’s premises. They must also step on disinfecting foot mats located at the mall’s entrances.
To remind shoppers to observe safety measures, safety protocol personnel were also deployed inside the shopping malls. “Ang ‘new normal’ po ngayon ay responsibilidad ng lahat (The ‘new normal’ is everyone's responsibility),” Mateo said.
“Hindi lang po ito para sa gobyerno, hindi lang po ito para sa mga establisyemento but ang ating kalusugan ay responsibilidad ng lahat at magsisimula ito sa atin (It’s not just for the government, it's not just for the establishments, but our health is the responsibility of everyone and it starts with us),” he added.
Customers observing social distancing measures while waiting in a queue to pay at a cashier at a mall in Manila on May 18, 2020. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)
Bien Mateo, SM Supermalls senior vice president for operations, reiterated the call on May 21, Thursday, saying that it is everyone’s responsibility to observe such safety measures as part of the “new normal” while there is an ongoing health crisis.
“Nakikiusap po kami na kung pupunta po kayo sa ating mga shopping malls ay i-practice po natin ang mga patakaran tulad ng safe distancing (We ask that if you go to our shopping malls, we should practice the guidelines such as safe distancing),” Mateo said at the Laging Handa press briefing.
For over two months, the once crowded shopping malls in the country fell silent as the national government imposed strict quarantine measures to curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Now with the easing of restrictions in areas that were once placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), shopping malls were allowed to resume limited operations with safety protocols in place to protect the public from possible infection.
For the resumption of their operations, Mateo said all employees of SM Supermalls must undergo rapid testing before they will be allowed to report to work. “Alinsunod na rin po sa panawagan ng gobyerno at ng mga local government sa mga kompanya. ‘Yun po ay pinapatupad namin sa ngayon (This is in line with the call of the government and the local governments to the companies. That's what we're doing right now),” he said.
He said only half of their total employees were required to report to work while others were allowed to work from home. “Kahit ganyan naman po ang ating sitwasyon ay nangako ang SM Supermalls na patuloy nilang matatanggap ang buo ng kanilang sweldo (Despite our situation, SM Supermalls promises that will continue to receive their salaries in full),” Mateo assured.
As part of their safety measures, Mateo said the mall’s “high-touch” points and comfort rooms are sanitized every 30 minutes. High traffic areas such as the supermarket, hardware stores, and pharmacies are also being strictly monitored to ensure that social distancing is observed. Moreover, mall goers have to undergo temperature checks upon entering the mall’s premises. They must also step on disinfecting foot mats located at the mall’s entrances.
To remind shoppers to observe safety measures, safety protocol personnel were also deployed inside the shopping malls. “Ang ‘new normal’ po ngayon ay responsibilidad ng lahat (The ‘new normal’ is everyone's responsibility),” Mateo said.
“Hindi lang po ito para sa gobyerno, hindi lang po ito para sa mga establisyemento but ang ating kalusugan ay responsibilidad ng lahat at magsisimula ito sa atin (It’s not just for the government, it's not just for the establishments, but our health is the responsibility of everyone and it starts with us),” he added.