Simon plans to re-open 49 malls and outlets in May

The nation’s biggest mall owner is about to make the nation’s grandest move back into business.

An internal memo from Simon Property Group obtained by CNBC revealed its plan to re-open 49 malls and outlets centers in 10 states between May 1 and May 4.

Re-opening properties will be located in Texas, Indiana, Alaska, Missouri, Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Arkansas, and Tennessee.

These will not be curbside-pickup re-opens like the ones happening in Texas. Simon will welcome shoppers inside their locations, offering them temperature checks and CDC-approved masks and sanitizing kits. Shoppers will not be required to wear masks, though mall personnel will.

As safeguards, Simon will be putting tape over every other sink and urinal in restrooms to maintain social distancing, using floor decals to direct foot traffic in one direction, and limiting food court seating. Water fountains and play areas will remain closed.

In addition, it will limit the number of open entrances and promises to make sure occupancy does not exceed one person per 50 sq. ft. of space.

Simon had not responded to a request for comment from CNBC when this report was published.
Source: Chain Storage Age