Malls gear up to welcome customers

Nagpur: You may be eagerly awaiting the opening of malls so that you can hang out there in the evenings but the atmosphere will be quite dull initially. Many restaurants have decided not to open up as they feel home delivery is not viable. Some shops will open after a few days as they are busy cleaning and tidying.
Meanwhile, mall owners are busy making arrangements for maintaining safety of their customers inside the premises.Every nook and corner is being sanitized and circles are being drawn in front of shops. Sanitizer dispensers are being installed at various places.
Jeevan Shivnani, a furniture store owner in Trilium Mall, said that he would open his shop after two to three days. “Right now I am busy getting it cleaned as it was closed since months. I hope I get a good flow of customers. People are going to the markets so they should come to malls too. We will install sanitizer dispensers inside the outlet. It is a spacious shop and social distancing will be automatically maintained,” he told TOI.
Saurabh Atlani of Yellow Chili restaurant said that he would not be doing home deliveries. “The rent and staff salary expenses are too high. I won’t be able to meet it through home deliveries only,” he added. Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) will however, do home deliveries, he further said.
Hitesh Waswani of Robo 2.0 restaurant said that he would start home deliveries after Diwali as he does not expect much business now. McDonalds has however, decided to do home delivery and parcel delivery from Wednesday.
Yogesh Kale of Trilium Mall said that all preparations have been made for opening up the premises. “Sanitization of mall and parking premises at regular intervals by will be done by sodium hypochloride. As soon as you get down from your vehicle in the parking area, your temperature and oxygen level will be checked. This will be done at the entrance also. Circles will be drawn in atrium. You can stand here only. Circles will be drawn in front of shops also,” he added.
Ashish Barai of Eternity Mall also said similar preparations had been done. “A distance of two to three steps will have to be maintained on the escalator. Lift will have only five persons, including the operator. Continuous announcements will be made regarding social distancing. No entry inside malls without masks and foot operated sanitizer dispenser will be there at every corner,” he added.