Mall Reopenings: Chain Plans To Open 5 Illinois Malls May 31

GURNEE, IL — Five big shopping centers in Illinois, including a few in the Chicago suburbs, will reopen May 31, according to the Simon Property Group. That's when the state, according to the 5-phase "Restore Illinois" plan Gov. J.B. Pritzker introduced Tuesday, will be in Phase 3. Phase 3 is the "recovery" phase, and no Illinois region can move to that phase before May 30 — despite some Illinois mayors defying the stay-at-home order to launch their own reopening plans.

The Illinois and Chicago-area malls include Gurnee Mills in Gurnee, Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora, Orland Square Mall in Orland Park and White Oaks Mall in Springfield.

On May 1, an updated stay-at-home order was issued, and despite facing some legal challenges, it remains in effect through the end of the month, with modifications that allow some state parks and additional businesses to reopen, though many retailers are only permitted to do online orders and curbside pickup.

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"Shoppers will be encouraged to take their temperatures and perform health checks prior to visiting our properties and to refrain from visiting the property if they exhibit any flu-like symptoms. Anyone exposed to COVID-19 will be expected to remain at home in quarantine until they are symptom free for at least 72 hours and satisfy other CDC requirements," company officials said on their web page.

Simon Property Group has already opened 59 shopping centers in 13 states. Announcing the re-opening schedules, officials said on the web page:

Shopper response to our reopenings has been very positive. Initial traffic has been better than expected, and at times we have had to limit access to our properties to ensure enthusiastic shoppers adhere to the social distancing standards outlined in our COVID-19 safety protocols (See video)

Moreover, to our surprise, many of our tenants experienced much stronger than expected sales over the weekend.

Overwhelmingly, consumers have relayed to us how excited they are to be out shopping again. With more and more stores opening every day, we expect our retailers will be able to take advantage of significant pent-up consumer demand.

Simon Properties listed new protocols on its web page, including requiring their own employees to wear protective equipment on the job. They say they are recommending that their tenants follow suit.

Related:

• Reopening Illinois: 6 Things To Know
• Reopening Plan Released As IL Death Toll Hits Highest 1-Day Total

Business hours will be limited to allow for enhanced sanitizing and disinfecting (Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday: Noon to 6 p.m).

Simon Properties said it would promote social distancing at the malls in several ways:

• Using existing traffic measurement technologies at our properties to ensure that overall property occupancy does not exceed a targeted level of 1 person per 50 square feet of space. As needed, we will restrict the number of open entrances to the property while complying with local fire code requirements, and have queuing protocols in place to manage traffic. Each tenant will be responsible for managing to targets set by state or local authorities for their leased spaces
• Our employees and security officers will actively remind and encourage shoppers to maintain the proper distance from fellow shoppers and workers, and refrain from shopping in groups. Tenants should do the same within their leased spaces
• Food court seating will be limited and spaced in a way to encourage social distancing. Additionally, no reusable customer service items will be available (e.g., trays, utensils, cups, etc.). Common area seating will also be reduced and reconfigured to support social distancing
• All play areas, stroller and valet stations and drinking fountains will be temporarily closed
• Directional signage and floor decals will be deployed in the property to encourage better traffic flow, including at entrances and throughout the common area
• In restrooms, every other sink and urinal will be taped off to encourage the proper spacing between individuals
• We will deploy directional signage and dividers to separate shoppers entering and exiting the property, as well as diners ordering and picking up food in the Food Court. We will also deploy social distancing markers where needed to manage queues (e.g., at food court counters) to maintain 6 feet of spacing
• Each night, the common area of the property will be thoroughly sanitized and disinfected using products that meet or exceed CDC guidelines. Each retailer should do the same for their store. Additionally, during mall hours, we will regularly sanitize and disinfect high touchpoint areas, including restrooms, seating areas, escalator/stair handrails, trash bins, door knobs and handles, directories, food court tables and chairs, etc. Each tenant should perform the appropriate cleaning of their space.

In addition to the measures outlined above, they said they would also implement the following steps with respect to shoppers:

Individual Personal Protection: All shoppers will be encouraged to wear masks or facial coverings while shopping. They will also be encouraged to frequently wash or otherwise sanitize their hands while shopping, and we will make available sanitizing stations throughout the property. Additionally, we will also provide, free of charge, CDC-approved masks and individual sanitizing wipe packets to shoppers requesting them. Finally, we will make free temperature testing available to shoppers, using infrared thermometers

Healthy Tips and Social Distancing Reminders: Signage will be deployed at all entrances and throughout the property reminding shoppers of their part in keeping everyone safe. Additionally, we will be making regular announcements over our audio system to remind shoppers of their part in maintaining a safe environment for everyone.

Lanning Taliaferro contributed to this article