Unlock 1.0: Shopping malls struggle to operate with fewer employees in Guwahati

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Shopping malls have been reopened as per the guidelines of Unlock 1.0. However, authorities of shopping malls are struggling to operate with less number of employees.

The authorities have not yet ascertained as to how they will manage fixed expenses like rent, electricity bills and salary of the employees.

Manger of Vishal Megamart, Ganeshguri, Pinak Hazarika said, "All the retail businesses are now looking for a solution to manage the fixed expenses. There is no footfall; people are purchasing mostly the FMCG products. The sale has decreased by less than 50%."

As claimed by many shopping mall authorities, many customers refuse to follow the guidelines and measures to tackle COVID-19.

Hazarika said that the house keeping staff sanitize the mall as much as they can. In every 3 to 4 hours they sanitize the door handles and the railings.

Nirma Rabi Das, ADM of Big Bazaar, Bhangagarh said that the mall has been reopened with only 50-60 employees and the duty has been divided into shifts. Whereas the women employees will have to attend their duty from 9 am to 6 pm, the males will have to be on their duty from 10 am to 7:30 pm.

She said that Unlock 1.0 has become a little bit difficult for them to maintain everything with fewer employees. However, by keeping in view the current situation they are strictly following the preventive measures. She said, "Entry of children is strictly prohibited and people without masks are not allowed to enter the mall. We are checking the temperature of every customer before their entry and are keeping their records."

Also watch: Evening Bulletin | 8th June, 2020