Department stores open for business in KL but few venturing out

 

Despite reopening, there were few customers at the Sogo department store. (Pic by Moganraj Villavan)

KUALA LUMPUR: Many shops and sections remain closed despite the reopening of several well-known department stores in the city.

Yesterday, the reopening announcement had left netizens puzzled since the federal territory and most parts of Selangor are still under Phase 1 of the national recovery plan, with travelling restricted.

Isetan announced on Facebook the reopening of its outlets at Suria KLCC, The Gardens and Lot 10 shopping malls, while Sogo’s department stores in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru also resumed operations today.

Checks by FMT today at the Isetan outlet at Suria KLCC and Sogo’s department store showed that many shops and certain sections remained shut.

Customers at both stores were also fewer than usual. At the Isetan outlet, the majority of customers were at its food market, with visitors seen purchasing essential food items.

At Sogo, only the department stores were allowed to open, while its other tenants remained shut.

Both Isetan and Sogo carried out body temperature checks on customers, provided hand sanitisers and took down information from the customers before allowing them to enter the premises.

Customers at Isetan were seen to be practising social distancing and wearing face masks properly to protect themselves. (Pic by Moganraj Villavan)

Customers were seen to be practising physical distancing and wearing face masks.

Security guards and auxiliary police were at the entrances and exits to ensure visitors obeyed instructions and SOPs.

At Isetan’s food market, a customer, who only wanted to be known as Mary, said the food market was never closed in the first place.

“I think they (Isetan) closed other sections before but the food market has been operating as usual. I have been getting my food stocks here regularly,” she told FMT.

Another customer, Nurul Aza, said she only came to Isetan to purchase groceries from the food market.

“I know other sections are allowed to operate now but I don’t think it is safe yet for customers to roam around.

“I came here for groceries and that’s it. Shopping for other items can wait. My health is more important,” she told FMT. - FMT