Mall allowed to reopen after disinfection of 200 outlets

Cleaning exercise: Workers in full protective gear sanitising the common areas within Gurney Paragon Mall.

GEORGE TOWN: After disinfection was completed at all 200 outlets, Gurney Paragon Mall has been given the all-clear to reopen today.

The mall carried out the deep cleaning exercise after it was listed on the Hotspot Identification for Dynamic Engagement (HIDE).

“Our retail outlets occupy nine floors of space. We will clean all the common areas while shopowners will clean their own premises.

“We need to make sure it is safe before we reopen, ” said a spokesman, adding that standard operating procedure would be followed.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the mall, Queensbay Mall, two supermarkets and a manufacturing firm were allowed to reopen for business today, pending completion of sanitisation works.

This decision was reached after consultation with the state Health Department and state National Security Council, Chow said.

Teoh Sock Ling, who manages a sports outlet in Gurney Paragon, said the sudden closure would have an adverse effect on profits for May.

“Our Raya sales just began last week, then we were told to shut for three days. We needed to rearrange our manpower resources, ” she said.

Nur Shafinaz Noorizan, who runs a pop-up kiosk for Hari Raya clothes, said she hoped there would be a last-minute rush once the mall reopens.

“We usually sell clothes online but decided to have a pop-up shop this round. It is unfortunate that we have to close but we understand that it is for everyone’s safety, ” she said.

Earlier, Gurney Paragon and Queensbay Mall, along with two supermarkets and a manufacturing company in Penang, were ordered to close for three days beginning last Sunday after they were flagged by the HIDE system.

This came after Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that all premises and bazaars listed in HIDE must close for three days.

He said the implementation of the movement control order was made based on the new HIDE system, jointly developed by Bank Negara Malaysia and the Health Ministry.

“If the HIDE system detects cases in a locality, the government will conduct a risk assessment with the Health Ministry to temporary close that area and implement the MCO, ” he said.

National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin earlier said premises flagged by HIDE system were not Covid-19 clusters but had the potential to turn into one if pre-emptive action was not taken.