Thailand's shopping malls prepare to reopen

BANGKOK– The government is mulling the second phase of easing coronavirus restrictions.

After the first stage of easing which has seen some restaurants, barber shops and salons reopened, the government’s COVID-19 taskforce has announced that it plans to allow shopping malls as well as health and wellness businesses in the next stage which could begin next week.

The operators of the shopping malls that have been closed since March 22 are gearing up with their preparations for reopening.

Health screening, density limit and social distancing measures would be taken when they resume operations, the management of one of the major shopping malls said.

The high-density venues can reopen if the number of new Covid-19 infections continues to drop, according to the government’s coronavirus taskforce. The taskforce is expected to announce its decision on the second phase of lockdown easing on Friday.

An analysis report by Siam Commercial Bank indicates that retailing businesses have shrunk by 14 percent, translating into about 500- billion baht of loss as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. (TNA)