EmQuartier Bangkok Installs “Auto Sanitising Gate” At Mall Entrance, Looks Straight Out Of A Sci-Fi Film

The first “sanitisation tunnel” in Thailand


Images adapted from: Emporium Emquartier and @pinata 

After the first COVID-19 cluster infection in Bangkok was found, the public was highly advised to avoid big crowds if possible. But what if you needed to go for a quick shopping run at the mall?  Well, EmQuartier, a mall in Bangkok’s Thong Lor district, seems to have that covered.


Auto sanitising gate at EmQuartier


Image credit: @pinata 

Last week, the mall placed a futuristic-looking tunnel that intrigued shoppers at its entrance. This turned out to be an “auto sanitising gate”, which sprays disinfectant solution when walked through to kill any germs.

The solution’s particle is claimed to be “as small as 3 microns”, making it stay on our bodies longer – sort of like an armour protecting us from the virus. So far, EmQuartier is the only mall that has an invention like this to combat the spread of COVID-19.

The tunnel is safe for any children who are older than 1 year old
Image credit: Emporium Emquartier

Besides the tunnel, EmQuartier also provides free hand sanitiser stations for shoppers and disinfects the mall after shopping hours. 


The tunnel is not endorsed by ECDC


The mall made an initial claim that this “sanitising tunnel” was certified and endorsed by The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). 

However, the claim was later proven untrue when the organisation denied it on Twitter.

Image adapted from: มิตรสหายท่านหนึ่ง

In the same thread, ECDC further said, “we do not test nor certify disinfectants. Anyway they put it, it is misleading and false.”


EmQuartier apologised for miscommunication


Later, the mall has issued an apology statement for the miscommunication regarding the situation on all of its platforms.

Source

Despite Emquatier’s particular disinfectant not being certified, Benzalkonium Chloride solution is known to be effective in killing coronavirus – even in ECDC’s own guideline.

Regardless of these newfangled ways of sanitisation, remember to take care of yourself by continuing washing your hands a lot and avoiding touching your faces when out and about – be safe guys!

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Eddie Jirayu: