RMC HAS ISSUED SOP FOR FUNCTIONING OF SHOPPING MALLS IN ROURKELA
Raejsh Mohapatra,Odishabarta
ROURKELA: After the order of the Central Govt. to open more economic activities in Unlock-3, Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC) has issued standard Operating Procedure for smooth functioning of shopping malls adhering Govt. guidelines. This order has come from Commissioner of RMC, Dibyajyoti Parida on 3rd of August, 2020. In this SOP clearly food courts/eatery outlets within malls are prohibited along with gaming zone, children play areas are not allowed, cinema halls/entertainment/fun zone of any kind is prohibited and promotional activities where congregation of customers could possible is restricted.
Social distancing must be at least 6 feet from customers to customers. Using of mask or face cover is mandatory and that has to be observed strictly and the mall authorities should adhere the same, if violation is observed must be informed to the competent authority immediately. Mall staffs and customers should use handkerchief or tissue paper while coughing or sneezing in the mall premises.
Any illness to staffs of the malls must be informed to RMC and follow up action will be taken accordingly. At the entrance of the mall there must be thermal screening and sanitizer usage must be done and only customers or staffs will be allowed if they are ok with the guidelines. If anybody is found having any fever or cold or any sort of things indicating symptoms of corona must be separated and will be asked to wait in a place already kept ready in advance for the customers of this type and then it should be contacted the competent staffs of RMC for proper medical screening and further procedures as advised in the guidelines to contain corona. ‘Arogya Setu App’ shall be advised to install for staffs and customers/visitors. Mall authority should also make arrangement of AV media at different places inside the mall and display the COVID-19 prevention measures so that it catches the attention of most visitors. Staffs those are employees and in vulnerable groups like elderly people, pregnant women, having medical conditions should refrain coming to malls rather they can work from home. If at all they are coming to malls proper care must be taken to protect them from corona infections. Appropriate social distancing must be maintained at parking lot through crowd management. Mall authority should maintain separate entry and exit for customers and supply of goods inside the mall building. If any home delivery facility is available then all delivery boy should be screened thermally by the mall authorities.
Proper sanitization within the malls should be done including chairs handles of doors, handles of elevators etc. Staffs handling supplies, inventories and goods shall handle them by wearing proper PPE kits and disinfection of the area must be done frequently. Number of person in the elevators has to be maintained so that social distancing must be maintained at any cost.
Air conditioning system must be maintained so that temperature to keep in the range of 24-30 degree Celsius and humidity should be kept in the range of 40-70%. A separate room may be identifies as isolation room preferably just outside or near the entrance of the mall. Also the mall authorities shall make provision for proper disposal of used mask/face covers/gloves left over by customers.
Any violation of these would attract severe action by the competent authorities.
