CapitaLand to deploy disinfection technology in malls

Singapore

CAPITALAND will deploy tech solutions such as disinfecting robots and air disinfection systems at its malls to enhance its cleaning and disinfecting routines ahead of Singapore's Phase One reopening in June, it said in a bourse filing on Friday.

Starting next month, autonomous UV disinfection robots will be deployed daily after mall operating hours to disinfect the basements and first storeys of Tampines Mall and Bukit Panjang Plaza, which are floors with high shopper traffic.

The robots, which will be progressively rolled out at other CapitaLand shopping centres, complement daily disinfection routines carried out by cleaning crew.

From June, the company will also install in all mall lifts a PhotoPlasma air disinfection system. The technology energises atmospheric air into a plasma state, which eliminates airborne and surface micro-organisms such as viruses and bacteria.

In addition, lifts will receive general cleaning and a coating of anti-microbial disinfectant.

The anti-microbial disinfectant will also be applied to high-contact areas such as escalator handrails, door entrance buttons, touchscreens, toilet cubicles and basins, family rooms, as well as customer service counters.

Surfaces treated with the disinfectant can potentially ward off bacteria and viruses for up to six months.

CapitaLand will continue to clean and disinfect all high-contact touch points at a stepped-up frequency of once every two to three hours.

From June, it will also introduce floor mats that have disinfecting solution poured over them, to be placed at key entrances. Shoppers' soles will be cleaned when they step on these disinfection floor mats, which will be changed and cleaned twice daily.