People in Bacolod City are now starting to go out, albeit with some inhibitions. Since many have started to get back to work, they need to be fed. At SM City Bacolod, they have expanded their dining spaces to include the north wing atrium. They dubbed this area as the Safari Cafe and know more about their safety practices while Covid-19 still lingers.
Operating Under the New Normal
In this time of prolonged quarantine in the Philippines, the business community is now trying to get back on its feet. It takes a lot but everyone is trying to adjust to the new normal ways of work and lifestyle. Depending on what quarantine status is in effect in an area, some establishments can already restart their operations. But of course, they should follow strict health and safety guidelines issued by the government.
In Bacolod City, which is under modified general community quarantine, restaurants are already accepting dine-in customers. But there is one important condition — they can only accept 50% of the seating capacity.
This has Bacolod restaurants resorting to creative measures, all to remind their patrons to maintain physical distancing and practice personal sanitation. Among these are signs to wear masks, directional stickers on the floors, table markers on chairs tables, and more.
It’s no different at SM City Bacolod, where restaurants and food stalls are a-plenty. The mall works together with its tenants to ensure that customers have a safe and pleasant experience.
All safety protocols are implemented, such as temperature checks, sanitized foot mats, hand sanitizing stations, floor markers, and visual reminders for safe malling. Safety officers and sanitation teams are visible around the mall, too. Read: SM Supermalls Assures of Safe Dine-In Services
Expanded Dining Area
The main atrium at the SM City Bacolod north wing is now a temporary dining area. After all, public gatherings and events have been halted due to Covid-19, so this expansive area is now for dining.
This expanded area helps diners sit and eat comfortably, especially when their favorite restaurant in the mall has reached their “full” capacity. It’s spacious and bright, with good airflow and a nice ambiance, too.
One can simply order their food to go and consume it in the extended dining area. Restaurants nearby can even deliver food orders to the atrium. The tables are big with limited seating to ensure the physical distance between diners.
SM asks to remember only three etiquette tips when dining at the mall:
- Buy and enjoy food from SM’s restaurants and food stalls
- Stay for a quick bite and avoid lingering
- Clean as you go (CLAYGo)
Safe Dining at Safari Cafe
SM City Bacolod is making good use of the Jungle Safari exhibit that’s at their main atrium. What was meant to be a summer attraction this year is now adding charm to the dining ambiance at the atrium with a Safari Café!
Jungle Safari in the Mall is a fun make-believe mini adventure park that would have been a hit with the kids and kids-at-heart. Mall goers would be transported to an adventure in the African wild.
There are life-like animals like the rhino, elephant, lion, giraffe, hyena, crocodile, monkey, and small critters like lizards, meerkats, mice, and birds. Trees, plants, and flora are also abundant within the “jungle,” adding to the realness of a jungle adventure at the mall. Alas, kids will not be able to enjoy this in the meantime due to the current health threats and quarantine restrictions.
But by adding a few tables and chairs, the Jungle Safari is now a Safari Café! Dining under the trees, by a watering hole, or by the jungle dwellers makes your sit-down meal a fun way to pass some time in the mall.
Safe Malling and Dining
There are other fun ways that SM City Bacolod has done to remind diners of safe malling and safe dining. Some of the jungle animals and plants have occupied places at the table, not as a centerpiece but as a table-mate.
The safari creatures have a novel yet important role in letting customers know of safe distancing, mask-wearing, and clean surroundings. Of course, the tables, seats, and areas are sanitized after every diner.
Both the designated dining area and the Safari Café are free to use for dine-in meals. Customers can just bring food orders to a table and enjoy it there. However, the Safari Café prioritizes some of the mall’s participating tenants. A list at the entrance will show which restaurants are part of the Safari Café line up.
The expanded dining areas are part of SM Supermalls’ safe malling campaign. Where dine-in is allowed, SM malls have brought in different whimsical additions to make these spaces fun yet safe.
Other Covid-19 Stories
Meanwhile, here are other stories related to Covid-19 in this blog.
- Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade Disinfects Bacolod City Streets
- PPE for Negros Occidental Health Workers Against Covid-19
- KonsultaMD Provides 30-day Free Medical Advice to the Public
- Identify Covid-19 Fake News and Scams
- Bayanihan sa Bacolod Movement in Fighting Covid-19
- Robinsons Hotels and Resorts Plans for Re-opening After Lockdown
- Amazing Barter Stories: Bacolod Barter Community
- The Doctors’ Hospital Sets Up First PCR Laboratory in Bacolod
- Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Reopens with Stringent Safety Measures
- Bacolod Barter Community: The New Normal in Trading
I was really amazed and fascinated to see this kind of set up inside the Mall. It is also heartwarming to see that SM City Bacolod has transformed their place because of their concern for their customers. These constant reminders about proper social distancing in the mall as well as wearing of facemasks and cleaning after you go will really help us fight Covid-19. Good job! I would lovely to be in here when everything will be back to normal.
Wow! They have surely transformed the north wing atrium. The place is so cool and we really can enjoy our meals here. Thank you, SM City Bacolod!
This is the best way of reminding people about social distancing and wearing face mask everytime they go out.