MANILA -- Malls and shopping centers that will reopen in "new normal" areas under general community quarantine must adhere to strict precautions against COVID-19, Malacañang said Thursday.

The government's pandemic task force has approved several guidelines for retail hubs, many of which are meant to discourage the public from loitering, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said.

"Wala po dapat WiFi dahil kapag malamig at may WiFi ay marami pong tatambay," he said in a virtual press briefing.

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The following are the guidelines set by the government's inter-agency task force on COVID-19 for mall operators:

1. Monitoring foot traffic and enforcing safe distancing by:

- Only 1 person is allowed per 2 square meters of space
- Reducing the number of open entrances
- Allowing 1 companion for senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disability

2. Physical distancing measures of at least 1 meter apart

3. Assigning personnel in high-density areas

4. Requiring people to stand on every other step of the escalator

5. Limiting access to elevators to senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disability. Elevators should only ferry half of its original capacity.

6. Marking or reducing seats for waiting in groceries, and stores

7. Setting a one-way flow to decongest queues and facilitate movement

8. Increasing police visibility

9. Centralizing pick-up locations for delivery services

10. Regulating air conditioning

11. No WiFi

12. Suspending sale events, marketing events and other promotions which tend to attract huge crowds.

13. Implement other measures necessary

Roque had previously said that mall goers would also be required to wear face masks and use hand sanitizers, and that store owners must meet "minimum health standards."

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