CapitaLand rolls out innovative tech in preparation of Phase One reopening

SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) - Developer CapitaLand is taking necessary precautions at its malls islandwide ahead of the end of the “circuit breaker” period on June 1. Phase One will entail a portion of Singaporeans going back to work, beginning from businesses with lower risks of transmission. Primary and secondary school students will also return to school and households can receive up to two visitors (parents, grandparents and parent/grandparent in-laws) per day.

With more people out and about, CapitaLand will undertake measures to clean and disinfect with innovative technologies to protect shoppers and employees. For instance, high-contact areas such as lift buttons, door entrance buttons, touch screens, toilet cubicles and family rooms will be coated with anti-microbial disinfectant that can guard against bacteria and virus for up to six months.

They will also be introducing disinfection floor mats at the entrances of its malls from June, whereby disinfection solution is poured over the floor mats, allowing the soles of shoppers to be cleaned when they step on them. Shoppers will subsequently dry their soles by stepping onto a runner mat.

UV disinfection robots will be deployed after mall operating hours to conduct daily disinfection of high shopper traffic floors. The first malls to deploy these robots are Tampines Mall and Bukit Panjang Plaza, which are the two high-traffic malls identified by the authorities. These robots will complement the daily efforts of cleaning staff.

In addition, lift in CapitaLand malls will be installed with PhotoPlasma air disinfection system from June as well, which eliminates airborne and surface microorganisms such as virus and bacteria.

At Atrium@Orchard, CapitaLand will also trial the automated escalator handrail disinfection and contactless lift activation system. This entails an ultra-UV device installed in the escalator system, allowing handrails to be efficiently disinfected when the escalator is in use. Atrium@Orchard will also install lifts that are fitted with a QR code registration device so that tenants and shoppers can activate them without touching the lift buttons.

Chris Chong, managing director of retail at CapitaLand Singapore hopes that with these measures in place, CapitaLand can “create a safe environment to welcome the community back to [the group’s] malls upon the gradual easing of the circuit breaker”.