Authorities coordinating with mall owners in implementing health measures vs. COVID-19 —Eleazar

Amid the reported overcrowding in some shopping malls over the weekend, the Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield (JTF CV Shield) said it has been coordinating with mall owners to ensure health measures are being implemented.

JTF CV Shield commander Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar on Monday said unit commanders have started talking to mall management about the matter.

“Makipag-coordinate kami sa management and owners ng malls and establishments to ensure nai-implement itong mga protocols,” he said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Monday.

Eleazar also advised owners of shops inside malls to be conscious of the limited number of people allowed in their respective spaces.

According to Eleazar, only one person is allowed within a square meter.

“Computed kasi 'yan, itong tinatawag na common area. So dapat ‘yung isang tao sa isang square meter. Kapag na-reach ‘yung allowed number sa loob, hindi dapat sila magpapasok,” he said.

“'Yung mga individual shops dapat alam nila kung ilan doon ‘yung maximum number na puwedeng pumasok doon,” he added.

Eleazar stressed the importance of the task of security guards in these establishments, given that government’s uniformed personnel are not able to check all these areas.

He added that mall management should apply necessary measures to prevent shoppers from violating health protocols in light of the threat of COVID-19.

On Sunday, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac said shoppers had enjoyed their day at the mall and overstayed inside supermarkets and shops.

 “The accumulated number of people inside malls seemed to look like overcrowding,” he said.

Metro Manila and six provinces shifted to moderate enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) starting Saturday, May 16, and this will end on May 31.

Under MECQ guidelines, shopping malls were allowed to open on a limited basis beginning Saturday. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News