Christmas rush felt in malls, roads amid COVID-19

Despite the health protocols imposed due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Christmas rush was still be felt in malls and roads.

According to Saleema Refran’s report on “24 Oras,” there were sanitation teams and safety marshalls patrolling malls to remind the public of health and safety protocols.

“Hindi po sila komportable po na maisot ng proper ‘yung ating face shield at face mask so hindi po namin nakakalimutan na i-remind ang mga tao,” April John Revillosa, a safety marshall at Robinson’s Galleria, said.

“Sumunod na lang po tayo sa kung ano ‘yung inutos ng ating gobyerno para po ng saganon matapos po natin ‘yung kinakaharap natin,” he added.

One of the shoppers was MJ Balingit, who said that it was harder to shop amid the pandemic.

“Mas mahirap, syempre. Hindi lang sa ‘yung safety pag sa mall. Of course, the budget din, wise, budget-wise. Kasi pandemic. Hindi naman dapat mag-spend masyado,” Balingit said.

Meanwhile, sales associate Chester Cruz said that despite the Christmas rush, shoppers were more frugal while others have become used to online shopping.

“Dati katulad nung sa inyo mas marami talaga, ‘yung bultuhan. Pero ngayon paisa-isa na lang, dala-dalawa, kasi ‘yung iba nasa bahay na lang hindi na lumalabas. Kaya naapektuhan talaga ‘yung sales,” he said.

Authorities are expecting a surge in last-minute Christmas shoppers despite the unusual situation.

“Christmas is Christmas, eh, people would like to still try to spend Christmas as much as possible instead of hiding in fear because of the pandemic,” Jonathan Ho, Robinson’s Mall Operation Manager, said.

Shoppers in a mall in Quezon City were also seen buying small gifts for their loved ones despite limited budgets. Some shops selling expensive items, meanwhile, had long lines.

Meanwhile, vehicles traversing EDSA daily had increased to 328,000 from the 300,000 vehicles per day in the first week of December. However, this is still lower than the 400,000 vehicles recorded before the pandemic.

“Lately, even on a weekday, nakakakita kami ng significant volume entering ‘yung the malls, ano. Nasa pandemic pa rin tayo pero pataas ng pataas ‘yung volume natin. Pero, of course, Christmas rush,” EDSA Traffic Chief Bong Nebrija said. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News