In photo, Farmers plaza frontliners show they are ready to welcome their customers
By Victoria “NIKE” De Dios
As more businesses are allowed to operate under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) imposed in Metro Manila, the Araneta City has already resumed the operations of its three malls, the Gateway Mall, Ali Mall, and Farmers Plaza, and opened its doors to the public today, May 20, 2020, from 11 am to 7 pm.
In the media advisory sent to THEHILBIZNEWS, Antonio Mardo, Senior Vice President for Operations of Araneta City assured the public that the Araneta City has all systems and ensures that all their customers and employees are safe as they go back to business.
Prior to the reopening of malls, the Araneta City management held a small ceremony to thank mall officers and front-liners for keeping the establishments safe during the temporary closure. Social distancing and safety protection measures were observed during the ceremonies held simultaneously in all three malls.
Led by Mark Jacaban, the Operations Manager of Gateway Mall, he said to the attendees, “Dahil sa tulong ninyong lahat, handa na ulit tayong buksan ang ating mga pinto sa publiko. On behalf of the Araneta City management, we salute you for your service. May you continue to keep our community safe, solid, and secure.”
Several shoppers also got treats from the City of Firsts. The first 300 shoppers at the Gateway Mall who accessed the Araneta City mobile app were notified to claim free care kits containing face masks, sanitizer, tissue, and wipes at the concierge.
Everyone inside the malls is being treated with strict implementation of precautionary measures to ensure their safety in the Araneta City malls, including observance of “no facial mask, no entry” policy, checking of temperature and quarantine, pass/authorized company ID upon entry, observance of the minimum 1-meter distance between persons, 2-steps distance between persons in escalators, and limited passengers in elevators, placement of signages and floor markings for social distancing and placement of disinfectant-soaked footbaths at entrances, hand sanitizers/alcohol dispensers in key areas, the regular airing of public announcements to remind shoppers on the safety measures and regular sanitation/disinfection of the interiors and exteriors of establishments.
For pregnant women, the elderly, and PWDs, they may be accompanied by one person when visiting any of the malls of Araneta City
“Most of these measures are safeguards that we’ve been implementing in Araneta City even during ECQ. We will continue to comply with government directives under MECQ. The welfare of our employees and customers is our top priority in reopening our malls,” assured by Araneta City Senior Vice President for Operations.
