Kolkata: Staff jabbed, malls set to reopen after 45-day break

KOLKATA: Operators at the 13 shopping malls in Kolkata and Howrah have sanitized their establishments and vaccinated their staff, all set to resume operations. But, they said, functioning with 25% of their total staff, as prescribed by the government, could prove to be a challenge since every individual had a specific role to perform that was not interchangeable.The other point of concern was the absence of public transport for the retail staff to commute to and from the malls.
In the notification issued by the government on Monday, retail outlets in malls have been allowed to function from 11am to 6pm with 25% staff deployment, while restaurants inside malls have been allowed to be open till 8pm. All malls have been instructed to ensure only 30% of capacity footfall.
The overall mood was buoyant and the vibes were positive over the restart of operations after being shut for a month-and-a-half. Only hypermarkets, like Spencer’s within malls, have been open. Last year, during the lockdown, malls were shut for two and a half moths between mid-March and June 7.
Welcoming the government’s decision, Shopping Centre Association of India chairman (eastern region) Sushil Mohta said it was a progressive move and that malls were ready to abide by all Covid-safety protocols to ensure the facilities remained safe for customers and employees. Requesting the government to extend the mall timing till 8pm so that it could shut along with the restaurants inside, he also flagged concerns about restricted staff strength and their commute problems. “We recognise the challenge in opening up the economy and appreciate the measured approach the government has taken. The critical operational staff and nearly three-fourths of retail staff in all malls have been vaccinated. We will seek clarification on the 25% staff deployment and urge the government to enforce a 30% cap. We will also urge the government to allow app cabs and Metro to ply so that people can commute in reduced numbers,” said Mohta. Some restaurant owners, too, said it would be challenging as dining in Kolkata begins around 8.30pm and lunch is not a revenue-driver on weekdays.
The operations head of all malls said 90%-100% of critical operations staff, including those in security, housekeeping and engineering departments, and 70%-80% of retail staff had been vaccinated. “As we start operations, only those who have received at least one dose of the vaccine will be deployed,” said South City mall vice-president Manmohan Singh.
Among the 13 malls, at least three— Quest, Acropolis and Forum Rangoli (Belur) — will also have vaccination centres, where visitors can take a shot.