Shopping malls study re-opening protocols as infections surge.

Panama’s shopping malls are working on protocols to restart activities as they believe it unsustainable for businesses  to remain closed due to the COVID-19 crisis says the president of the Panamanian Association of Shopping Centers, Nadkyi Duque.

During a virtual  Coffee with La Prensa forum, she said that they have been preparing for a “safe” reopening following more than 50 measures of best practices worldwide, but the call comes at a time when there is growing concern about a second wave in countries like Germany, Belgium and Spain who thought they had beaten the beast but are now facing a resurgence and reintroducing tougher measures.

The situation is even more dire in many US states where rollbacks have led to massive upsurges in infections and deaths with younger adults flouting guidelines and meeting in large groups without social distancing leading to hospitals in hot spots being overwhelmed.

Duque hopes for better reactions in Panama backed by the formation of health committees, and the cleaning and sanitation of all areas. “We have been preparing, adapting the facilities, with separations of spaces,” in order to guarantee purchases with “tranquility and security”. she said

However, no date has been set Duque commented that it was expected that this could happen gradually in June, but  the increase in infections snuffed that plan.

 “We have a health crisis, adding an economic and social crisis, and  the lack of income of Panamanians, could increase the crisis,” she said.

Duquw said  that there are 50,000 jobs generated by the shopping center industry, who today have their contracts suspended.

The shopping centers have partially closed operations since May 19.  Currently, 90% of businesses keep their doors closed, while the rest are made up of stores that sell basic necessities such as supermarkets, pharmacies, and clinics. This has meant that operating expenses, such as those related to security and maintenance, have been incurred, however, “we do not receive the necessary inputs.”

Annie Muñoz, leader of category management and training for Latin America at Nielsen, information, data and measurement company, stressed that consumption has been affected, not only in Panama but throughout the region. and “now people are more willing to buy online.”

She said that e-commerce is projected to continue the boom, and has accelerated worldwide, reaching record growth rates. What this will mean for the retail sales industry she didn’t mention.