Empty malls during ECQ

With the transition of many areas to General Community Quarantine (GCQ), many commercial establishments have started to reopen. Of course, among these are shopping malls that have been closed for the last 2 or so months due to the strict lockdowns. I took a few photos inside a nearby mall that we regularly go to for groceries, dining, hardware, the movie theater and other stuff when we were still under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). I was the designated quarantine pass holder so I got to go out for market and groceries every week.

This used to the a very busy area leading to the supermarket and the appliance shop. The area also usually was at the events venue and often set-up here are the weekend stalls selling local items including our favorite cashew butter and silvanas.

A look back at what was usually a crowded area at the center of the mall as I moved up the working escalator

The second level was also practically deserted with only a few customers going to the drugstore and the occasional janitor or security personnel going around

Across from where I was walking was another crowded area as this is the food court with the cinemas just beside it.

View of the ground floor as I descended on the non-functioning escalator on the other side of the second level.

With our area on GCQ now, the mall has reopened and many of the businesses are back but are implementing measures to reduce the likelihood of virus transmission. Restaurants, for example are only open for pick-up and delivery orders. Shops each have alcohol or some disinfectant available to customers at their doors, and limit the number of customers inside. The mall has limited the entry/exit points to the building. 

I got wind of the crowds when ECQ was lifted last May 16 and that led to a re-imposition of a barangay coding policy Antipolo had been implementing during ECQ. So the first time I was back inside the mall, there was noticeably fewer people than what I saw on photos shared in social media. I think this is better than allow people to lower their guards. Better safe than sorry, as they say.

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