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The Ozas shopping and entertainment center was the first in the Baltic countries to obtain the international certificate compatible with COVID-19, which confirms adequate preparation to manage the risks of the spread of COVID-19. The evaluation of the Vilnius-based shopping center was carried out by experts from the global certification company SAFE Shopping Centers. Changes in Ozo’s business processes during the pandemic, safety and hygiene conditions for visitors and staff, previously prepared action plans, shopping center communication and other tasks implemented in the context of the pandemic.
The preparation of the shopping center was examined based on the practice of international organizations, recommendations of the World Health Organization and other decisions made by experts concerned about the risk of spreading COVID-19 around the world. The COVID-19 compliant certificate confirms that the mall has a clear understanding and implementation of applicable laws and government recommendations and adheres to the most effective global practices to combat the spread of the virus.
“As soon as the first signs of a global pandemic appeared, we took all necessary and additional measures to ensure the safety of our customers and employees. We are pleased that its effectiveness has also been evaluated by international experts. We not only had to provide the evaluators all the tests and documents of the security measures, but also organize a virtual tour of the supermarket. Ozo’s security systems and equipment, hygiene solutions and the equipment’s readiness to operate met the highest standards of the SAFE shopping centers. In the current context, this is a vital task for all supermarkets. Maintaining such security conditions for visitors and tenants is likely to remain relevant even after the end of the pandemic, “says Antanas Kemėšis, Property Manager retailers of NEPI Rockcastle Lithuania, the company that manages Oz.
The international evaluation of supermarkets takes into account six areas: preparation of the supermarket administration, risk assessment and compliance, measures to ensure the safety of visitors, security measures applied by tenants, maintenance of hygiene and cleanliness and safety overview of the entire customer journey to the supermarket.
The experts positively evaluated the readiness of the Ozo team for various situations related to the spread of COVID-19: staff training, prepared action plans, distribution of responsibilities, etc. Attention was also paid to the safe organization of work with tenants and partners. The certificate of compliance with COVID-19 also confirmed the proper security of the supermarket, careful maintenance of the facilities, efficient ventilation systems that constantly supply fresh air to the Ozo spaces and other safety conditions for visitors and staff.
According to Newsec, the international real estate consultancy that manages the supermarket, the decision to seek this certificate was made at the initiative of the property manager, taking into account changes in supermarket operations during the pandemic and international best practices.
“As a professional property manager, Newsec has more than 30 real estate properties in Lithuania in its portfolio. Our objective is not only to guarantee the good administration of the property entrusted to us, but also to increase the sustainability of the managed object, the security of the client and their satisfaction. Therefore, we are pleased that the smooth certification process and the obtained COVID-19 compliant certificate confirm the successful cooperation between NEPI Rockcastle Lithuania and Newsec to ensure proper management of the risks posed by the coronavirus. Other supermarkets we operate are also currently certified and will soon receive certificates that are COVID-19 compliant, ”says Rida Kalvaitienė, director of Newsec’s Asset Management Group.
Ozas is the first shopping center in the country to receive this rating. The international certificate of SAFE company shopping centers was awarded to the shopping and entertainment center located in Vilnius on August 10. The estimated period of validity is one year. During this period, the supermarket undertakes to continue to guarantee safe working conditions and visits, as well as to take into account the new recommendations of the experts.
The Ozas shopping center evaluation was carried out by the international shopping center certification and consulting company SAFE located in Sweden. His team is made up of independent experts with many years of experience in supermarkets, risk management and crisis communication. SAFE shopping centers work with well-known brands from around the world, helping them establish stores that meet safety standards.
