Chennai, June 28(BPNS)

The shopping malls, commercial complexes, and temples are open in Chennai and adjoining districts of Chengelpettu, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur from Monday onwards and working with half the staff strength as well as following Standard Covid Protocol according to the government guidelines.

Malls and Stand alone garment and jewelry shops can function from 9 am to 7 pm. On Sunday almost all Malls, commercial establishments, and places of worship were cleaned and sanitized as part of the cleanliness drive to prepare for the opening on Monday.

Greater Chennai Corporation officials and district administrations of Chengalpettu, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur have already intimated and created awareness among the management of Malls, stand-alone jewelry, garment shops, commercial establishments and places of worship that the Covid standard protocol must be strictly abided.

Malls have already set up a public  announcement systems to warn the customers to keep safe distancing, wear masks, and to sanitise themselves before entering the malls as well as after exiting from there.

It is to be noted that in public spaces it would be difficult to trace the contacts and it is the responsibility of the management of these public spaces to follow norms and avoid getting infected.

However the opening of commercial complexes, malls, and even places of worship evinced little interest in people, at least in Chennai. Several malls in the capital city did not have any rush and people kept away from these establishments for fear of contracting the virus.

Jayamohan .S, Manager of shopping Mall at Virugambakam while speaking to BPNS said,” People are shying away from the malls, maybe they are not having proper awareness on the manner in which the virus spreads of they may simply be not interested in shopping from the malls. Almost everything is available on online sites and door delivery is happening and that may be the reason. However, we are expecting people to throng in the days to come.”