Coronavirus: Malls install thermal scanners, sanitise trolleys every hour in UAE

Malls across Abu Dhabi are taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of visitors in the wake of Covid-19 impact. Thermal scanners are placed at entrances and disinfecting trolleys are intensified, as managements go the extra mile in the fight against virus spread.
Dalma Mall - which has over 450 stores and located opposite the Mohamed Bin Zayed City - has taken numerous measures, following the guidelines of the local authorities.
"To tackle the current scenario, we have installed thermal scanners while working closely with the Department of Culture and Tourism-Abu Dhabi. The frequency of cleaning has been beefed up and special briefing given to the staff to intensify cleaning procedures with the use of additional layer of antibacterial disinfectants," said Bhupinder Singh, general manager and CFO, Dalma Mall.
More than 150 hand sanitising units were also placed at key areas, focusing on potential contact surfaces like lifts, handrails, mall entrances, door handles, trolley bays, drop-off and pickup points, among others, he added.
"We have increased the temperature inside the mall, (and) we have intensified the frequency of changing air filters. All the stores and employees have been advised on hygiene, health and safety measures like avoiding handshakes and contact," Singh said.
Similar initiatives were introduced at Mushrif Mall, where thermal scanning is also done at entry and exit points and automatic hand sanitiser dispensers are installed.
Aravind Ravi, general manager at the mall, said: "We are set to implement hand sanitising machines at most of the crowded areas. All 30 checkout units of Lulu Hypermarket will have such machines."
Mushrif Mall's washrooms and baby-feeding rooms are also sanitised regularly.
"And one of the areas where we can have such virus contamination is handles of shopping trolleys. Every hour, we are doing complete disinfection of trolleys," he said.
Ravi noted the situation wasn't alarming and no drop in the number of mall visitors was noted.
"We are seeing visitors being curious about the additional cameras here. There are all cooperating and happy with safety measures in place.
"We are receiving same number of customers as in November and December of last year. There is no panic situation. People are just taking precautionary measures."
Others like Al Wahda Mall and Khalidiyah Mall have also taken precautionary measures and, in the coming days, thermal scanners will start operations.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi

Ashwani Kumar

Ashwani Kumar is a versatile journalist who explores every beat in Abu Dhabi with an insatiable curiosity. He loves uncovering stories that are informative and help readers form their own opinions.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com