Malls ought to carry out Covid-19 safe management checks once they open

Malls are supposed to implement safe management measures as part of the current Phase Two of reopening.

These measures include deploying the SafeEntry system for contract tracing, conducting temperature screening for customers and visitors as well as checking for visible symptoms at entrances.

I have noticed that many malls are lax in deploying staff to carry out these measures early in the morning.

This is usually around 8am to 9am, when the malls are already open, though most shops may still be closed.

On many occasions at various malls in Tampines, Bugis and Bedok, I have noticed people entering without SafeEntry check-ins or having their temperatures checked, mainly because there are no security guards or staff deployed at the entrances to enforce the rules.

I have observed that these guards and staff usually start only at 9am, by which time scores of people would have entered the malls. These include those going to the washrooms or the supermarkets, which open earlier than most shops, as well as tenants and suppliers.

I applaud the mall supermarkets, where there are always staff around to ensure SafeEntry check-ins and temperature taking.

However, that defeats the purpose if mall operators are lax in enforcing safe management measures.

This is a grave matter of public safety and health, as malls are enclosed spaces where infections can easily spread. Singapore can ill afford to have another wave of Covid-19 infections.

I hope malls ensure that they deploy personnel to ensure strict compliance with safe management measures.    

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