Mumbai malls to reopen but the vibe will be odd

A worker sanitises the fountain in the atrium of the Phoenix Market City, Kurla in Mumbai ahead of the August 5 reopening. (AA Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

Maharashtra has more than 75 malls. They have all been shut since March 25. Now under pressure from the mall companies, the state government of Maharashtra has agreed to allow them to reopen. (AA Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

For the government, the decision reopening has been a tough one to take. Coronavirus infections are continuing to rage in Mumbai. But then 5 million jobs are involved in the mall sector. (AA Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

While allowing malls to reopen from August 5, the Maharashtra government has laid down several restrictions. Malls will only be allowed to open from 9 am to 7 pm. Restaurants, food-courts and theatres will not be allowed. (AA Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

However, the whole experience of going to a mall will be radically different. there will be strict social distancing in force. The Shopping Centres Association of India (SCAI) has laid out an SOP for malls. (AA Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

There will be sanitising tunnels at various entrances, and unidirectional movement of customers. Alternate urinals and washbasins, and sensor-based taps and soap dispensers are going to be the norm. (AA Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

Some malls are introducing appointment-based visits. Only a certain number of customers, based on the size of individual retail stores, will be allowed in. (AA Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

Children up to 10 years of age and senior citizens above 60 years will initially be discouraged from mall visits. There will be long social distancing queues at checkout counters. UV-enabled baggage scanners are already in place. (AA Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

Mall companies don't expect a rush of visitors when they reopen on August. 5. They expect the numbers to pick up after a few weeks as was the case in other cities. But the reopening will pour some life into the retail sector, they feel. (AA Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)