Palace issues guidelines on mall operations during GCQ

Malacañang on Thursday released the guidelines on the operation of malls and shopping centers in areas under general community quarantine.

Here are the guidelines:

1. Monitor foot traffic traffic and enforce safe distancing by:

• limiting the number of people inside to a density of not more than one person per two square meters
• reducing number of open entrances
• allowing only one companion for senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities
• ensuring social distancing (one meter apart)
• assigning personnel in high-density areas
• standing on every other step of the escalator
• limiting access to elevators to seniors citizens, PWDs, and pregnant women, and total passengers to only half of the original standard capacity
• marking or reducing the seats available for waiting
• creating one-way flow to decongest queues and facilitate movement
• increasing police visibility

2. Designate a centralized pick up location for delivery service providers

3. Regulate air conditioning to 26 degrees centigrade

4. Turn off free Wi-Fi

5. Suspend sale events, marketing events, and other promotions which tend to attract large crowds

6. Implement other measures necessary (e.g. express lanes)

"Wala po dapat Wi-Fi dahil kapag malamig at may Wi-Fi, eh marami pong tatambay,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised briefing.

"Wala muna po tayong sales at saka mga marketing events na magdadahilan para magdagsaan ang tao.”

The government had said that restricted mall openings covering non-leisure shops would be allowed in GCQ areas. --KBK, GMA News