GCQ rules for malls, shopping centers out

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has issued guidelines for malls and shopping centers offering non-leisure products and services in areas under general community quarantine.

In a memorandum circular issued on Monday, the DTI said mall and shopping center operators should strictly monitor foot traffic and enforce physical distancing.

The number of people should be limited to one per two square meters at any given time. This means a 200-square-meter space should have a maximum of only 100 people.

The DTI said malls should reduce the number of entry points.

Senior citizens, pregnant women and persons with disabilities (PWDs) are allowed only one companion.

To ensure physical distancing, individuals should be one meter apart. Those taking the escalator should stand on every other step.

Access to elevators in malls would be limited to half of the standard capacity and use by senior citizens, PWDs and pregnant women.

Malls should also assign personnel in high-density areas like comfort rooms and supermarkets to regulate traffic.

Seats available for use by customers will be limited. There should be increased police visibility if there is a need to enforce strict physical distancing.

The DTI said sale and marketing events among other promotions are prohibited.

There will be a centralized pickup location for stores with delivery or pickup service.

Airconditioning temperature should not be more than 26 degrees centigrade and WiFi service should be turned off.

“This circular shall take effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or in two newspapers of general circulation and shall remain in effect until the state of public health emergency is lifted,” the DTI said.

The guidelines wil be implemented along with minimum health standards prescribed by the Department of Health, Department of Labor and Employment and DTI to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019.

Among the requirements are wearing of face masks, submission of daily health symptoms questionnaires, checking of temperature, disinfection of equipment and vehicles in operation areas and physical distancing in any queue outside offices or store premises.

The guidelines of the DTI and DOLE also provide steps to be taken by employers when a worker is suspected COVID-19 patient. These include screening through Polymerase chain reaction test, use of personal protective equipment by clinic personnel and decontamination of the workplace.