Kuala Lumpur, 5 June 2020 – As Malaysia prepares for a bounce back in economic activities, Sunway Malls lends its support towards the country’s COVID-19 economy recovery strategy by encouraging heightened Social Distancing safety measures to keep shoppers and retailers well and safe in the fight to break the chain.
In line with its ‘Your Safe Space, Our Safe Space’ initiative, Sunway Malls has introduced additional Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in its malls across the country to include Social Distancing Officers (SDOs) – a team dedicated to analysing high-risk hotspots in its malls to ensure that both shoppers and retailers are practicing safe Social Distancing measures mapped out by the management.
The SDOs, comprising of Sunway Mall staffs, are tasked with carrying out core duties including dispersing large crowds in the malls and in stores, spacing out long queues at tenants outlets according to the demarcations, taking visitor’s temperature at mall entrances, reminding customers and retailers to wear masks, discouraging loitering at common or shared areas, ensuring retailers’ hand sanitisers and thermometers are working correctly and ensuring the overall cleanliness and hygiene of the mall.
To ensure the effectiveness of this initiative, selected tenants will also be appointed and trained as part of the Social Distancing Retail Crew to remind shoppers to keep their distance in stores.
Life-sized cut-outs of Social Distancing personalities featuring Sunway Malls staff and auxiliary police are placed throughout the mall to remind shoppers of important measures such as wearing a mask, keeping good hygiene and maintaining social distancing.
Sunway Pyramid has taken the initiative to the next level by placing fashionable mannequins dressed in apparel by fashion brands in the mall on benches to prevent close contact between shoppers. The mall’s beloved mascots Leo and Leona will also make an appearance as 3D cardboard figurines placed on benches for the same purpose.
Kevin Tan, Chief Operating Officer of Sunway Malls elaborates that it was introduced as part of the malls’ Restart, Restore Recover plan to provide shoppers and tenants with peace of mind from the time they enter to the time they leave.
“In these unprecedented times, we at Sunway Malls have come forth with a clear plan to provide our shoppers with the certainty that our malls are a safe space to be. We prioritise their safety, take into account the speed at which we act and react and also innovate to help us, and our customers move forward beyond this MCO period. We know we can achieve this as long as all work together and do our part in following the safety and hygiene guidelines put in place for the benefit of all who walk through our doors,” he said.
Safety for All
Over 4,000 CCTV cameras have been installed across the malls, with 30 equipped with facial recognition technology to further encourage social distancing. 12 units of high accuracy thermal cameras will be installed across the malls, as well as contactless temperature scanning as a precautionary measure. Care ambassadors will also be placed throughout the malls to offer customers without masks a care kit comprising a mask and wipes.
Sunway Malls has also introduced chatbots on its social media platforms to allow customers to enquire the availability of items they would like to purchase. ‘Order and collect’ stations have also been introduced so shoppers can call ahead and order from participating tenants and pick up their items without stepping inside the mall.
Sanitisation efforts are continued with the disinfecting of major touchpoints and surfaces every 45 minutes to prevent germs and bacteria from spreading. This includes escalator handrails, lift buttons, handrails, ‘press to open’ buttons at all lobbies and entrances, door handles, iPad directories, baby rooms, junior toilets, kids’ playgrounds and hand dryers.
Driving business sustainability
All tenants in Sunway Malls have been given the option to operate shorter hours once the MCO ends to help preserve the tenants’ cash flow for the next few months as they gradually return to operations. Tenants can choose to operate for a minimum of eight (8) hours a day compared to the current practice of 12 hours, which means the tenant will be able to save more on trading and rental hours, as well as employee wages. However, the malls will continue to operate as usual along with essential retailers such as supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores and F&B outlets.
Sunway Malls has distributed circulars to tenants that include important information such as guidelines and best practices while operating to ensure they themselves are kept safe while providing their services and goods to the public. With a 12,000-strong working population across all malls, Sunway has also carried out trainings for all staff on health and preventive measures related to Covid-19.
Friendly Reminders
Visuals will also be placed around the malls to remind shoppers to practice social distancing and good hygiene. Shoppers can also visit the malls’ social media platforms for updates and posts on the safety and hygiene efforts put in place for further peace of mind.
For more information regarding Sunway Malls’ Restart, Restore, Recover initiative, please visit https://www.sunwaymalls.com/.
