The malls: children enter without supervision, businesses are disrespectful, guards are confused

December 28, 2021   

The outline of malls, commercial complexes and street shops went into effect yesterday (Monday) - after the government approved requiring entry to most stores with a green badge or a negative test. According to the regulations, everyone can enter the mall area to visit essential stores only. The remaining stores, which are actually the majority, can only be entered upon presentation of a green badge or a test. The stores that are supposed to enforce the green badge according to the guidelines are those with an area exceeding 100 square meters. The green badge requirement also applies to employees. In addition, entry to restaurants located inside a mall is now only possible upon presentation of a green badge. Another significant change: Food stands in malls are supposed to provide service to customers subject to presentation of a green badge, and seating is not allowed, only self-pickup. However, an inspection conducted by Israel Hayom reporters in various complexes across the country throughout the day revealed that the stores had not yet completed their preparations. As part of an inspection conducted at a mall in the center in the morning, the reporter was able to enter fashion stores without any problems. No one checked the green badge, neither for us nor for the children who entered the stores. In one of the cafes, for example, there were children and no one asked them for a coronavirus test. On a visit to another mall in the evening, it seemed that the situation was better and that the chains had already posted inspectors. At the entrance to the Grand Mall in Haifa, the guard stands and checks the bags. He doesn't even ask On a green card. It also does not keep a counter to count the people entering the mall. A tour of the stores in the mall shows that the large fashion chains have an employee at the entrance to the store who is responsible for checking the green card. Lines of people wait patiently at the entrance to the chain stores to show the card. In the small stores, which are not defined as essential, there is no inspector and no employee to verify whether you have a green card or a recovery certificate. In the food buffets, the sale is take-away. People buy food and sit on the benches on the side to eat. The electrical appliance chain did not post even a single employee to check who enters the store. The feeling is that some of the guidelines are enforced in the mall and some are not. Inspectors or police officers were not seen on the ground. Perhaps they too have given up on enforcing the new guidelines. Some of the stores have signs that entry is reserved for green card holders only. The people in the mall wore masks. As for the restaurants and cafes, the waiters ask if those entering have a green card, and the waiter takes care to verify their identity. Sinmol in the Bay Haifa The situation is similar: At the entrance, the guard does not ask about the green badge, and entry to most stores is without checking the badge. Only one chain store required a badge. A visit to the Nehemiah Mall in Kiryat Shmona reveals a similar situation: the guard stands bored at the entrance, and at the entrance to the stores no one stands and checks. The government's guidelines for a green badge in malls have not yet reached the northernmost mall in the country. "Come on," says one of the store owners in the mall, "they've completely confused us. There are almost no shoppers, so are we going to put more money in to prevent people from coming? Until a shopper comes - if possible, we'll hug him. "As long as he keeps some income here." None of the stores are excited about the new guidelines. Perhaps because they have difficulty understanding them. And what about in the Negev? At the Grand Canyon in Be'er Sheva, the green badge was enforced minimally at the entrance to the stores - and only at a small number of businesses. On the food court floor of the mall in the capital of the Negev, everyone was checked for a green badge seriously, but seating was allowed in the food court and not as prescribed - in a self-pickup (take-away) format. Other business owners are whining about the guidelines and no inspection is done at all, regardless of the size of the store, the number of visitors, or the vitality of that store. A sportswear store randomly checked the badge. The Mall Forum responded: "The malls are prepared for regular activity in accordance with the guidelines and strictly adhere to the established procedures, including maintaining distance, wearing a mask, signage and announcements - and are even taking part in the joint effort to encourage vaccination and assist in information dissemination. "The malls are committed to the safety and health of visitors, alongside an enjoyable entertainment and shopping experience, and have demonstrated throughout the entire period of dealing with the Corona virus a high level of supervision over what is happening in the mall environment and providing a response to challenges.".