Macquarie Centre, located in Sydney’s north, has outlined key initiatives the shopping destination has undertaken in response to COVID-19 restrictions.

Temperature checks

The first is temperature checks upon entry at a number of stores including fashion and beauty retailers Uniqlo and Mecca. Clear Skincare Clinic are checking customers’ temperature before beginning treatment, and other stores such as OPSM and Body Sculpting Clinics are testing staff temperatures at the beginning of each day or at the beginning of a shift.

In addition to this, Macquarie Centre has set up signage at each entry point, reminding customers about physical distancing and the importance of health and safety for all customers and staff. There are hand sanitiser stations set up on each level and retailers have all been provided with additional bottles of sanitiser.

Change rooms
The use of changing rooms at Macquarie Centre is governed by each retailer’s COVID SAFE plan, and as such practices vary from store to store. Across the board however, stores are being vigilant with their changing room cleaning practices ensuring increased cleaning to high-touch areas. Stores are also being mindful of stock that has been tried on, to ensure it isn’t returned straight to the floor.

Country Road has implemented a policy that ensures if a customer returns a garment, that it is quarantined for a minimum 24 hours before being placed back on the shelf.

Limits to lifts
Macquarie Centre currently recommends that people maintain their physical distance when using lifts and to prioritise the use of lifts for those that need it most, such as the elderly, disabled, shopping trolleys and parents with prams. This restriction adheres to advice from the NSW government’s SafeWork guidelines.

Parking
To improve the customer experience at Macquarie Centre, complimentary parking is currently available. For now, carpark boom gates will remain open during shopping hours.

Food courts and restaurants
Food favourites including PappaRich, Nene Chicken, 3 Chefs Café, Missing Piece Café and many more are now open, with most restaurants offering alternate takeaway and delivery options also.

The food court has re-opened to accommodate up to 50 people seated per separate eating area, at any one time. This follows the NSW Government’s 4 square metre rule and ensures that a physical distance of 1.5 metres is in place.

The food court has been divided into zones with an exact number of seats allowed in each area. In the coming week, a dedicated family zone for family groups, who are permitted to sit next to each other will also be installed.

Standalone restaurants are open and trading for a limited number of diners. Each restaurant has restrictions on the number of customers allowed inside the store at any given time. This number is based on the size of the store, and each restaurant has signage about their customer limits displayed outside the store.