Delhi malls reopen with new health and safety regulations

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Jun 9, 2021

On June 7, malls in Delhi reopened to the public after being shut for around two months due to the pandemic. Malls have an array of new health and safety measures in place, but consumer sentiment remains tentative.

 
As Delhi slowly begins to restart its retail industry following a gruelling few months, malls opened their doors to a muted response, TNN reported. Measures malls are following include the use of thermal scanners at entry points to check for signs of fever from afar; limited number of people allowed in stores at once; take-out only at restaurants; mandatory mask wearing, and thorough sanitisation of products and surfaces. 
 
“The first day of unlock was managed with a great deal of caution and all safety guidelines of the government were adhered to,” Select Citywalk mall’s executive director and CEO Yogeshwar Sharma told TNN.

“We are glad to have opened our doors for patrons and we are following the proposed odd-even rule for all retail outlets to maintain social distancing. The consumer sentiment is cautious but encouraging and we are glad that our retail partners, stakeholders and consumers have placed their trust in us. We mostly received serious shoppers who were keen to visit specific stores for their retail needs.”
 
In 2020, malls remained closed long after stand-alone retail outlets reopened during the government’s staggered ‘unlock’ plan due to crowding and safety concerns.

Many retailers operating stores within malls asked for rent discounts or relief, but many malls only offered limited aid as owners said they had their own loans to pay back. Whether the current consumer sentiment for mall shopping improves or not may decide the fate of many brands retailing in these shopping centres.