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Super shops have long been maintaining the protocols, ensuring that their outlets did not become “super-spreaders” of the novel virus As markets and shopping malls reopened on Sunday, the risk of violating health directives remains inevitable amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
But super shops have long been maintaining the protocols, ensuring that their outlets did not become “super-spreaders” of the novel virus.
Customers were also comfortable in maintaining the health protocols, such as waiting outside in queue before entering, maintaining social distancing from each individual, etc.
Visiting several super shops’ branches of Meena Bazar, Agora, and Shwapno in the capital, all the outlets were seen to adhere top standards of hygiene rules, while minimal health compliance was noticed on the first day of the market reopening on the day.
A super shop consumer said that it was extremely difficult to maintain social distancing in the kitchen markets, not to mention a lack of cleanliness given the open market nature.
That is why he preferred to visit super shops rather than kitchen markets for all his necessities.
The super shops’ entrances ensured body temperature checks, hand sanitizers and disinfection sprays, as well as making masks mandatory while entering their premises.
Moreover, the employees of the super shops also follow similar health directives as well.
Visiting the Dhanmondi road no. 27 branch of popular super shop chain Meena Bazar, a buyer said that Meena Bazar authorities were aware of what protocols to take for ensuring customer safety from preventing infection of coronavirus, which was why buyers felt secured even if they had to step out of their homes to buy something urgent.
Shaheen Khan, chief executive officer of Meena Bazar, said that they take the utmost measures to protect its employees and customers since the outbreak of the pandemic last year.
“We have been following the hygiene rules for the last one year. The rules that were imposed in March last year are still being followed to the same standard,” said Shaheen.
“It is mandatory for our employees to wear masks, hand gloves, and wash hands at regular intervals. Our trolleys and trolley handles are regularly sanitized and we are constantly cleaning the floor and product shelves with disinfectants,” he also said.
“We have determined the capacity of our outlets, which will not allow more customers to enter the outlet together. Our customers are also trying to follow the hygiene rules simultaneously,” said the Meena Bazar CEO.
Abu Naser, operation director of Shwapno, another popular super shop, said that in the last 15 days, online orders have increased by 35% due to the countrywide lockdown.
Home delivery and e-commerce together account for 14%, while the rest is sold at outlets, he also said.
A customer checks out her groceries at a billing counter of a Shwapno outlet in the capital
“We always emphasize the health safety of both our customers and our employees. Our employees check the body temperature of our customers before allowing entrance to the outlets. Trolleys, floors are being disinfected regularly. Customers buy and carry goods by maintaining health norms and it’s monitored strictly by the authority,” he added.
“If the numbers of buyers increase, we requested them to form a queue before entering. We frequently announce the health directives through microphones. Our customers help us by maintaining social distance,” he also said.
According to several officials of various super shops in the capital, most of the people who are aware of coronavirus think that the super shops are safer than the traditional kitchen markets.
According to the Bangladesh Super Market Owners Association, there are about 300 super shop outlets in the country.
(DT)
