In the next few days, the government will determine whether to authorize shopping centers to reopen their doors, and when that happens, know that some things will not be the same as before, starting with the fact that you will have to park your car, since there will be no valet parking, you will not be able to Go in groups to janguear and they will take your temperature to see if they let you in.
These and a dozen other measures have been designed by mall owners and managers to protect customers and employees from the dreaded COVID-19. A representative group from that sector participated in an interview with El Nuevo Día in which they shared details of how they prepare for the resumption of operations and explained what changes they will make to their properties to ensure the safety and hygiene of visitors.
In the interview, which was conducted via videoconference, the following participated: Adolfo “Tito” González, president of Empresas Caparra -owner of San Patricio Plaza, in Guaynabo-; Francis Xavier González, vice president of Retail Value, Inc. -manager of 12 properties, including Plaza del Sol in Bayamón, Plaza del Norte in Hatillo and Plaza Palma Real in Humacao-; Marnie Marquina, general manager of The Mall of San Juan; César Vázquez, partner of Céntrico -former Plaza Guayama-; Rafael Ruiz, director of Leasing of Empresas Fonalledas; and José “Papo” Pérez, Vice President of Empresas Pérez Hermanos.
“We have taken into account the protocols of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and we are in the implementation phase,” said the vice president of RVI, while He asked the government to allow them to reopen soon, because the more time passes, the more difficult it will be for many businesses to resume operations. He asserted that the sector has intensified its cleaning protocols in common areas, such as entrances, bathrooms, handrails, furniture and sidewalks, among others, in addition there will be automatic dispensers with disinfectant in various points of the malls.
When the customer arrives at the mall, he will find only a few doors open, and before a mall employee can enter he will take his temperature. If you are 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or above, you will be advised to visit a doctor for a COVID-19 test, and you will not be allowed access. Nor will anyone – employees or visitors – be accepted without a mask.
Limited jangueo
For now, the days when people used to meet in the mall to go shopping, eat and then enjoy a movie in the cinema are behind us. This is because several malls will restrict the number of people who can enter together to a maximum of two. Although they will not limit the time you can shop, they will not allow you to walk in groups and many properties will even demarcate the route to follow when walking through the halls.
“What we want the tenants to sell, the consumer buy and go home, following all protocols responsibly,” said the president of Empresas Caparra, who indicated that they will control the number of people in the mall at one in 100 square feet in the first week, and one for every 50 square feet the second.
The elderly will not be able to go to exercise or spend the day in the mall having a drink. “Unfortunately, I have a large group of these people and it is one of the activities that will not continue,” said the RVI vice president. In The Mall of San Juan they evaluate options to continue serving the group but without risking health.
Another change will be seen in the food courts, since you know that there will be far fewer tables and chairs available. RVI’s properties reduced 50% of the chairs, while San Patricio Plaza left only 35% of seating spaces.
Playgrounds for children will be closed until further notice in the malls and water sources cannot be used.
Self-certifications
Regarding the self-certification that businesses must deliver before opening, Marquina recognized that it is a document that requires recurring updates, so The Mall of San Juan will make them sign a document to their tenants in which they agree to comply with the required protocols .
Central has set the date of May 15 as the last day to deliver the protocols. Until yesterday, it had received five out of 65. “People may think that they can fill out the self-certification and do it on their own, and it is not,” said Vázquez. However, he assured that the malls are ready to reopen, following strict safety and hygiene measures. “The shopping centers are literally prepared, with masks, stickers,‘ sanitizers ’and more than what the law requires,” said the businessman.
Meanwhile, Pérez, who has commercial properties in Cayey, San Lorenzo and Salinas, said he expects to receive self-certification from multinational chains this week, while small businesses are lagging behind, so he will meet with them to make sure they complete them. as soon as possible.
Interviewees acknowledge that, at first, only about 30% of stores will reopen. “I very much doubt that 100% of tenants are ready or available to open. It will be a ‘soft opening’. (Also) it has been two months of being locked up, I don’t think there is a crowding of people, ”said the president of San Patricio Plaza.
“I would expect local‘ retailers ’to open faster than national ones,” added Ruiz of Empresas Fonalledas.
All emphasized that orientation to staff and the public about what the new normal will be will be vital for the reopening to work and not trigger COVID-19 infections.
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