ugc_banner

Coronavirus: Thailand reopens shopping malls to revive economy

WION
New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaEdited By: Palki SharmaUpdated: May 18, 2020, 11:48 PM IST
main img
Malls in Thailand Photograph:(Reuters)

Story highlights

As retail centres reopened in Thailand on Sunday, scanning their QR code, eager shoppers queued outside the Siam Paragon mall.

Thailand has now reopened its shopping centers after its economy was hit hard by the impact of COVID-19.

Temperature scanning robots, disinfectant mist at entrances, and masked shoppers this is the new normal in Thailand malls.

As retail centers reopened in Thailand on Sunday, scanning their QR code, eager shoppers queued outside the Siam Paragon mall.

After a gradual easing of restrictions to revive the coronavirus-ravaged economy with a total number of COVID-19 cases just over 3,000, the numbers have slowed in recent weeks, now the reopening of malls only seems rational.

The customers are also confident about their safety. One of the shoppers, Taewich Penpattakul said: "Actually, all the mall staff, they might not have that much knowledge in the virus preventive measures. But the thing is, I’m confident enough that I can take good care of myself."

Customers and businesses have been advised to adhere to restrictions. These include limits on the number of people allowed in retail spaces and a ban on alcohol sales in restaurants.

However, cinemas still remain shut. Not only is the mall conducting temperature checks through robots, banners urging people to wear face masks can be also spotted in parts of the mall.

Busy zones like the beauty section and food court have been ensuring adequate social distancing is followed.

One of the shoppers said: "The staff in the mall. They seem to care about the rules, about the security rules. So they're checking the temperature, they ask you to log in the ID (QR code), to scan and check-in. And when you go out you have to check out as well so for me this is a good idea."

The Thai government is also urging retailers and shoppers to check in on a digital platform when entering malls. It will send a message if a coronavirus case is discovered in a specific store.

For now, Louis Vuitton and Gucci are helping Thai shoppers to escape the gloom of coronavirus.