A day at a Bengaluru mall in the new normal has some hits and misses too

It’s been three days since malls and eateries opened again since the lockdown, enough time for them to get their act together and adapt to the new normal. So, we decided to go to a popular mall and do a spot check. Staff was still getting used to monitoring patrons, and there were mistakes, but there is an increased sense of awareness regarding safety during the pandemic, with sanitisation priority for entry into any store.Here are our findings....
Entrance
There is a sanitation tunnel, automatic sanitisers and scanning of bags. When we first entered during non-peak hours, the tunnel wasn’t switched on, even though we passed through it thrice.
At 5 pm, though, it was functional. The conveyor belt for bag screening was not cleaned at frequent intervals.


Clothing stores
You can touch items with your bare hands. Trial of clothes, including lingerie, is allowed. Clothes are steamed, but without sanitiser.

Book stores
There is norestriction when it comes to touching books, toys or CDs in the store. These items are not cleaned after being touched.

Food court
There’s strict emphasis on social distancing right from the entrance. Instructions for sanitiser and face mask use are in place. In case of a cash transaction, you are given sanitiser again. Tables are cleaned before and after use. A supervisor ensures social distancing.

Sports and footwear stores
You have to sanitise hands before and after trying on shoes. After determining shoe size, one is given options. There’s no contact with staff and you have to try the shoes yourself. The shoes are not cleaned thereafter and returned to their boxes.
No use of restrooms and no water dispensers
We tried to check on the restrooms, but all of them were locked. The water dispensers were sealed in the mall too.
Parking
This was most disappointing. There were no visible measures in place. Staff at the parking fee collection booth wore masks, but no gloves.