Covid-19: Shopping malls in Gurugram to reopen from July 1, Faridabad to decide on Monday

Malls in NCR town of Haryana can open from July 1 as the state government has issued fresh SOP. Haryana government had allowed reopening of malls across the state from June 7 barring Faridabad and Gurgaon, which are part of NCR and have reported maximum COVID19 cases. Faridabad authority will hold a meeting with stakeholders on Monday to decide on the opening. “It has been a long break. We have put in place standard operating procedures for health safely according to government guidelines and are eager to welcome the customers back. Even the mall tenants are looking forward to the resumption of their business,” said Pankaj Bajaj, Managing Director, Eldeco Infrastructure & Properties Ltd, which operates mall in Faridabad.

In the first fortnight of reopening, Malls India have reported 30% footfall and upto 70% sales. While Delhi and NCR town of UP were allowed to operate a fortnight ago, operators in Gurgaon and Faridabad were asked to remain shut. “Both the mall owners and tenants have suffered huge financial losses in the last 3 months. We have waived rentals for this period and also passed on the benefit of reduced daily maintenance costs to the tenants. We expect customers to spend less time at the mall initially.

Obviously, only serious shoppers will be visiting.” Bajaj added. In a webinar by the Shopping Centres Association of India (SCAI), earlier this week, mall operators said over 400 malls are operational at the moment and safety norms and steps being taken making it the safest place. “In our Delhi’s malls, footfalls have gradually improved and we have noticed only serious shoppers.

We are fully prepared to open in Gurgaon and tenants are also ready,” said Arjun Gehlot, Director, Ambience group.