Ayala establishes roadmap as merchant partners reopen

CEBU, Philippines —  Most shops in Ayala Center Cebu are expected to reopen next month, except for establishments that are still prohibited by IATF (Inter Agency Task Force) on COVID-19.

“We are closely working with our merchant partners in preparation of their opening. Given the detailed government directives on which industries are allowed to open, we do understand their challenges, as well as logistics and mobility concerns of employees,” said Ayala Center Cebu general manager Bong Dy.

Based on the latest IATF guidelines, establishments that will remain closed include gyms, fitness studios and sports facilities, entertainment like cinemas, games and playrooms, as well as personal care services like barber shops and salons, spas and facial care clinics.

“We have established a roadmap in transitioning to the mall’s opening that prioritizes the health and safety of our employees, our merchant partners, and our shoppers. We have rolled out a comprehensive Ayala Malls GCQ Operating Handbook that serves as a reference to our operations team and merchants, to help them navigate through the MECQ/GCQ phase as we continue to ensure the overall safety of the community,” she added.

In the meantime, Ayala Center’s facilities management team have intensified efforts on preventive maintenance and engineering safety checks in preparation for reopening.

Dy said team is also prepared to assist in the reenergization of merchant spaces.

“We are ready to implement our manpower redeployment plan as we expect occupancy to improve, and to ensure that service levels are satisfactory especially in the areas of housekeeping, security and customer servicing,” assured Dy.

More importantly, sanitation and disinfection measures as well as health and safety protocols are in place to promote an ideal shopping environment to everyone during this phase.

Ayala Center Cebu is making sure that strict entry protocols will be followed. This involves temperature checks, crowd control and queue management, quarantine pass and valid ID check and maintaining a 1-m social distance at all times. A No Mask, No Entry policy will be enforced. Hand sanitizers will be readily accessible throughout the mall. High touch surfaces such as escalator handrails, railings, elevator buttons, and washroom facilities will be regularly disinfected.

“We have put in place prominent markers and reminders for every mall customer to follow. The mall’s temperature will be set to 26^C and the free Wi-Fi will be suspended. These are all in compliance with the IATF and DOH guidelines,” Dy said.

Effective June 1, 2020 Cebu City is set to re-open businesses after the two-and-a-half enhanced community quarantine imposed by the government to arrest the spread of deadly coronavirus.