Malaysia: Shopping malls step up measures to curb COVID-19 pandemic

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia Shopping Mall Association (PPK) has emphasised the protection and well-being of shoppers as a top priority at all times, and have taken all possible steps to avoid COVID-19 infections.

In a statement on September 28, the PPK said complete sanitation, proper disinfection and deep cleaning of areas visited by those infected with COVID-19 had been carried out in strict accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Ministry of Health.

Safety for all staff, tenants, patrons, visitors and shoppers is of primary concern and shopping malls are following the accepted Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These include contract tracing, monitoring temperature, wearing of masks, providing hand sanitisers at mall entrances and other strategic spots for shoppers and also for staff.

The PPK said once shoppers passed through the entrances, retailers again conduct the same procedure with contact tracing and hand sanitisation at their outlet entrances (with temperature checks being optional as the implementation of QR Code scanning would enable effective contact tracing to be conducted).

The statement was issued as a number of COVID-19 cases involving the staff at five shopping malls in the Klang Valley had been reported in the last 10 days.

The COVID-19 outbreak in Malaysia has become more serious with three-digit number of new infections recorded each day. The country imposed strict movement restrictions in four districts of Lahad Datu, Tawau, Kunak and Semporna in Sabah states after reporting more than 1,000 COVID-19 cases from the beginning of September. Accordingly, non-essential businesses will be required to shut down for 14 days, from September 29./.