The New Normal: This group of malls now has 'social distancing ambassadors'

As shopping malls slowly open in modified enhanced community quarantine and general community quarantine, mall operators are adapting to the new normal brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Megaworld Lifestyle Malls — that's a group of 17 malls including Eastwood Mall in QC, Lucky ChinaTown in Binondo,  Uptown Mall in BGC and Newport Mall in Pasay — is deploying "social distancing ambassadors."

They are essentially part of the malls' security workforce whose duty is to ensure that there is the required 3-meter physical distance between mall-goers. 

"They will act as disciplinarians inside the mall," said Graham Coates, head of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls in a press statement.

They also have a "sanitation squad" deployed at all times to deep-clean door handles, handrails, comfort rooms and common areas.

The Megaworld Lifestyle Malls has also reduced its carrying capacity to maintain the required "one person per two square meters" density, as well as limiting each malls' operations to 50% of its total floor area. 

Mall-goers must also present their IDs as guests 21-59 years old are allowed. Thermal scanning and foot baths are mandatory for everybody, as wearing of face masks. 

Malls have reopened over the weekend with air conditioning set to 26 degree Celsius, a temporary shut down of their free wifi services, and restaurants operating only on takeout and delivery capacity. — LA, GMA News