Police teams to keep tabs in Ludhiana

OPENING OF MALLS, RESTAURANTS AND WORSHIP PLACES

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 7

A day before the opening of malls, restaurants and religious places, the police came out with an action plan to ensure compliance of the Covid-19 norms. Special teams have been formed to keep tabs on business establishments.

Speaking with The Tribune, DCP (Headquarters and Security) Akhil Chaudhary said: “The Zonal ADCP, subdivision ACPs and SHOs have been directed to ensure adequate awareness as well as compliance of Covid-19 instructions for malls, religious places etc. We are also coordinating with the managements to ensure enforcement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The managements will be held liable in case of violation.”

Malls and hotels have started briefing their staff about the norms required to be followed during business hours.

Joint Managing Director of MBD Group Sonica Malhotra Kandhari said: “We are all set to resume operations at the MBD Neopolis malls in Ludhiana and Jalalndhar from June 8. We will be opening both malls in a safe and controlled manner, strictly adhering to all guidelines related to thermal screening, sanitisation, wearing of masks, gloves, PPE kits and other necessary equipment, as issued by the Centre and the state government. We have developed comprehensive SOPs to be implemented covering mall operations, social distancing, entry and exit of staff, retailers and visitors, vendor movement and crowd management”. Speaking about resuming operations at Radisson Blu Hotel MBD, she said the hotel would resume operations in next two or three weeks. Most staff members are from the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and other states. “We have communicated to our staff members. They are waiting for their e-passes from their respective state governments to return to Punjab.”

The Pavilion Mall management said they were ready to open the mall tomorrow with strict compliance of the Covid-19 norms. “We have put up social-distancing tapes on the ground floor outside and at the main entrance. Face shields have also been provided to the staff. Stickers carrying handwash guidelines have been put up inside washrooms. Audio and video messages reminding visitors of precautions to be taken will be played in the mall.

Staggered worship timings

Religious places shall remain open only between 5 am and 8 pm. The maximum number of persons at the time of worship shall not exceed 20 with due distancing, and therefore the worship timings should be staggered in smaller groups. There will be no distribution of prasad and food/langar.

Guidelines for malls

• Every person entering a mall shall have COVA app on his or her phone, but in case of a family, one person having COVA app will suffice.
• Loitering in a mall will not be allowed.
• Entry will be based on a token system
• The maximum capacity of persons allowed in each shop in a mall will be fixed on the basis of maintenance of 6-foot distance.
• Lifts shall not be used except in case of disabled persons or in medical emergency.
• Escalators may only be used, with distancing
• Trial of clothing/accessories not permitted

No dine-in at restaurants

• The restaurants shall only be allowed to open for takeaway and home delivery services till 8 pm. The situation will be reviewed on June 15.
• At hotels and other hospitality units, restaurants shall remain closed and food will be served only in rooms for hotel guests.