Indianapolis — Simon Property Group has released plans for reopening several of its malls in the first half of May. The openings are based on current state and/or local stay-at-home orders put in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously scheduled to open May 1, some properties in Georgia and Indiana have been delayed to a May 4 opening. View the reopening schedule here.
Indianapolis-based Simon says its protocols have been reviewed and approved by experts in epidemiology and environmental health and safety. The protocols are in effort to help prevent further spread of COVID-19. Simon employees, contractors and vendors will be required to screen themselves at home prior coming to work. Anyone with a temperature exceeding 100.4 degrees or who exhibits flu-like symptoms will be required to stay home. Employees will be trained in COVID-19 safety guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They will wear protective face masks while on property and be instructed to maintain 6 feet of distance from coworkers or shoppers.
Simon will ensure that property occupancies do not exceed a targeted level of one person per 50 square feet. Food court seating, as well as common area seating, will be limited and spaced. All play areas, stroller and valet stations and drinking fountains will be temporarily closed. Directional signage and floor decals will be deployed to encourage better traffic flow. In restrooms, every other sink and urinal will be closed.
Each night, the common area of the properties will be thoroughly sanitized and disinfected. During mall hours, Simon will regularly sanitize high-touch areas, such as restrooms, seating areas, escalators, trash bins, door handles, directories and food court tables. Tenants are responsible for their own cleaning. Business hours will be reduced to allow for enhanced sanitizing and disinfecting. Monday through Saturday, hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Sundays, the properties will be open from noon until 6 p.m.
— Kristin Hiller