Batam, Batamnews - Malls in Batam began operating after the government announced the status of PPKM had dropped to level 3. As of 18 days from the start of Emergency PPKM to PPKM Level 4, malls in Batam did not operate.

From the observation of batamnews, Nagoya Hill and Grand Batam Mall began to be crowded with visitors, Wednesday (11/8/2021)

Not only visitors, but tenants have also started to open their operational activities.

Santi, an employee of a clothing store tenant, revealed that the number of visitors on the second day of PPKM Level 3 was not as busy as before the implementation of PPKM.

However, she is grateful that she can return to work after the mall reopened.

As a mall tenant representative, Santi hopes that PPKM will end soon so that operational activities can run as usual.

She also hopes that the government can immediately tackle the spread of Covid-19 in Batam.

Meanwhile, Operational Staff of Grand Batam Mall, Tugiman explained, since it was reopened, the number of visitors has been quite busy. However, strict health protocols are still being implemented at Grand Batam Mall.

"For visitors, today it is starting to get busy, yesterday we were a bit quiet. And for almost a month ago, we didn't even have any operations," said Tugiman.

Following the PPKM Level 3 rules in SE Number 45 of 2021, the operating hours for malls and shopping centers are maximum open until 20.00 WIB.

Grand Batam Mall itself opens operational activities from 10.00 WIB.

To minimize crowds, mall management only allows takeaway for restaurants and culinary places. In addition, mall officers also often patrol to remind visitors to obey the procedures.

"At the moment there is no circular letter that requires there must be a vaccine card for visitors. So we just join the government, we don't enforce the vaccine card policy," explained Tugiman.