Tampa Premium Outlets Mall Reopens In Lutz

LUTZ, FL — Just in time to shop for Mother's Day gifts, Simon has reopened its Tampa Premium Outlets in Lutz and Tyrone Square in St. Petersburg with enhanced safety measures in place.

Simon’s enhanced safety protocols have been communicated to all tenants, who are expected to adhere to the same rigorous policies in their tenant spaces. Additionally, the properties have joined forces with local nonprofits to support initiatives aimed at assisting those experiencing hardship as a result of the coronavirus.

"The health, safety and well-being of those we serve will always be our highest priority, and we have developed a thorough and detailed set of protocols highlighting the exceptional measures we’ve implemented to safeguard shoppers, retailers and employees as we reopen,” said John Rulli, president of Simon. “We also recognize that individuals and families in our communities are suffering significant hardship as a result of both COVID-19 and the economic shutdown, and we believe that reopening our properties will not only help people get back to work during these challenging times, but also enable us to use our properties to further support charitable initiatives."

Safety protocols include:

• Enhanced sanitization and disinfecting using the Centers for Disease Control-approved products with an emphasis on high-traffic locations such as dining areas, restrooms, escalators, stairs, directories, trash bins and door knobs.

• Shopper safeguards that include making available protective masks, sanitizing wipes and temperature testing at entrances or property offices, as well as the encouragement of pre-visit health screenings to ensure shoppers stay home if they have exhibited coronavirus or flu-like symptoms within 72 hours.

• Hand-sanitizing stations will be deployed throughout the properties.

• Signage promoting CDC guidelines for maintaining personal hygiene will be prominently displayed throughout the properties.

• Preemptive employee health screenings will be done to ensure that employees do not arrive at work within 72 hours of exhibiting coronavirus or flu-like symptoms.

• Employee safety protections include implementing the CDC’s coronavirus frequent hand-washing protocols, and offering personal protective equipment in addition to other CDC-recommended practices.

• Promotion and enforcement of social distancing practices, including occupancy limitations, furniture and restroom spacing, closure of play areas and strollers, as well as coordinated traffic flow with traffic signage and distance markers.

All Simon properties closed on March 19. Rulli said the reopening of the shopping centers will provide a much-needed economic boost to the communities impacted by coronavirus.

The two shopping centers provide more than 3,300 jobs and contribute $24.8 million of sales tax and $3.7 million in property tax revenue to the state.

“Our properties are an integral part of our communities; not only in terms of shopping, dining and entertainment, but also job creation, small business growth and community support. We look forward to once again serving the needs of our communities, and do so in a safe and responsible manner,” said Rulli.

Simon’s COVID-19 Exposure Control Policy can be viewed in its entirety by clicking here