Retail Measures in Day One of Social Distancing

While some began taking social distancing measures earlier to stop the spreading of COVID-19, the government-mandated Jornada Nacional de Sana Distancia (National Social-Distancing Program) officially began on March 23 with the forced closing of public schools. Consequently, a number of responses to this development have officially been deployed.

Leonor Flores reports today for El Universal that Mexican department store leader El Palacio de Hierro has begun shortening its hours starting on Monday. Stores will now open an hour later and close an hour earlier, staying open a total of seven hours from 12 to 7 PM.  Store representatives announced no end date for this new policy, stating merely that it will apply until further notice. The retailer will keep working on its sanitary measures, such as the wide availability of antibacterial gel all over its retail space to create a “safe space” for customers. The statement concluded by reminding shoppers to visit El Palacio de Hierro’s extensive and widely available online store, which will offer uninterrupted service. 

Some measures against COVID-19 are also cooperative. El Universal reported that coordinated efforts between the State of Mexico’s Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Justice and business groups seek to prevent store lootings currently being organized through social media to  target retail businesses in populous State of Mexico municipalities like Ecatepec, Tlalnepantla, Nicolás Romero and Cuautitlán Izcalli. These efforts are focused on monitoring social media activity and identifying credible threats.