Vision City Festive Season Advisory

“We know that many people across the globe look forward to celebrating events in a communal way, with family and friends, and it must be very difficult not to be able to do so this year. But this is a time when the best way to care for our family and communities is to practise physical distancing and other preventative measures”.
Dr Takeshi Kesai / WHO Regional Director

The time of festivities is upon us again. The year has flown by in a blink of an eye. Many are still grasping the realization that a Pandemic is here and here to stay. New Norms are still in their teething stages as we slowly adjust and embrace new ways of living. Whilst adhering to these Pandemic protocols, one can easily be distracted and lose sight of the importance of one’s own personal or family security. We would like to share a few tips on how to protect your family, business and community during the festive season.

Tenant Security and Health Precautionary Measures

Ensure you practice physical distancing in aisles, counters and cashiers. Limit the number of customers inside your tenancy if need be to ensure you maintain control
Sanitize all common areas within your tenancy. This will include seats, tables, basket handles, trolley handles, cashier counters, door knobs, etc.
Ensure sanitizers are available for both customers and staff
This is a mask mandated mall. Pay attention to one’s body language. The eyes can give it all away if a customer walks in with ulterior motives. Now would be the ideal time to invest in additional security as an added deterrent within your tenancy
Unusual over-dressing especially when the weather does not indicate a need for it. Weapons can be concealed under jackets. Items can also be smuggled out under them.
Never leave valuables unattended. Phones or open cash registers are an open invitation to only would be thieves but to any customer who cannot resist an opportunity when it presents itself
Ensure your CCTV is in working order
Position your staff strategically to allow for maximum coverage of the shop
Do not entertain street sellers. If it looks good and the price is tempting. Chances are they are either fake or stolen property. Purchasing them would leave you with a substandard product or worse, make you an accessory to a crime

“Christmas is a time of giving, so make sure it doesn’t turn into a season of taking for burglars”
~unknown~

Safeguarding your home from opportunists

The festive season is often associated with large gatherings and feasting. Although discouraged during these trying times, most will strive to continue the tradition. This often means leaving the house unattended for hours or even days. Below are a few tips to help safeguard your home:

Do not display presents too early. Ensure curtains are fully closed. Presents may look pretty but you are not the only person they appeal to. Keep them out of sight until Christmas Eve or morning
Your Christmas tree may look lovely with its bright lights but do not leave the curtains open overnight for everyone to admire. Burglars are attracted to bright lights too
If you go out to visit family and friends and know you will out late, ensure the radio is left on or put your lights on a timer so they go on and off automatically. This will deter would thieves thinking the house is occupied
Do not keep substantial amounts of cash at home. Go to the bank as and when you need cash or use your bank cards
Having man’s best friend as a backup is sometimes the best option. Not only do they make for good companions, they also provide the best line of defense against opportunists prowling the streets

Shopping

Hand sanitizers and masks are available at various outlets within the mall. Ensure to purchase one and never leave home without it
Despite being sanitized on an hourly basis, we strongly recommend you avoid touching common areas such as handrails, lift buttons, door knobs, etc
Even with the heavy guard presence inside and outside the mall, when parking, always choose a well-lit spot as close to exits as possible
When outside of Vision City, be careful where you park especially if you plan on returning to it after dark
Do not leave presents or valuable visible inside your car when going out
If taking children especially in a crowded complex, ensure a fall back place is agreed upon in case you are separated

Parties

Keep your distance from other patrons. Sanitize your hands regularly as clubs and gatherings are places where there is a lot of meeting and greeting
Keep your mask adorned at all times and remove only to drink or to eat
As much as possible, dance at your table and not in the common area where everyone will run to when that number hits
Watch your drinks and food and make sure nothing is added to them
If you leave your drink even if just for a brief dance, do not drink from it again

Remember one thing. Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
~Calvin Coolidge~

Regardless of what your plans are for the festive season, remember that most people who fall sick with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment. You can be infected by breathing in the virus if you are within close proximity of someone who has COVID-19, or by touching a contaminated surface and then your eyes, nose or mouth.

We strongly recommend that you celebrate at home this festive season. Annual traditions like mass and church services prior to Christmas Day can be organized and held in your own household via live streaming.

In the event that you really do need to head out, make wearing of masks mandatory for your family. Sanitize all surfaces especially table tops if dining out. Make hand washing and sanitizing part of your family’s everyday routine. Teach your kids to eat only what is made from home and avoid eating other people’s food. Do not share drinks even when someone is in dire need for sip. During this Pandemic you will have to be cruel to be kind.

Vision City wishes all of our valued customers, tenants and staff a blissful festive season.