Cherry Hill Businesses Reopening: What To Expect

CHERRY HILL, NJ — A big week of reopenings in New Jersey begins on Monday with the reopening of indoor malls, including the Cherry Hill Mall. For the first time since the pandemic brought the region and much of the world to a grinding halt in mid-March, indoor dining and drinking, barbershops, gyms, and more will be allowed to open.

The next major step begins Monday, and in Cherry Hill, that means the reopening of the Cherry Hill Mall. It will be open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

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Mall owner PREIT is not allowing anyone under the age of 18 into the mall without someone over the age of 21. Anyone who is alone and can’t prove they are older than 18 will be asked to leave the mall. If their age can’t be determined easily, they will be asked to leave. One person older than 21 years old will be permitted to escort up to four youths. This rule applies at all PREIT malls.

“Malls are an undeniable part of New Jersey culture, and we want these businesses to get back up and running in a safe, responsible manner,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in announcing that they would reopen. “To keep our restart moving in the right direction, we ask New Jerseyans who wish to head out to the mall or any public setting to do so safely.”

Retail businesses located in the interior of shopping malls are permitted to reopen to the public, as long as they comply with the requirements contained in Executive Order No. 122. Restaurants within the interior of a retail shopping mall are restricted to offering takeout and delivery services, except that they may also provide in-person service at outdoor areas outside the shopping mall pursuant to Executive Order No. 150.

Retail kiosks located within malls may operate subject to the applicable requirements contained in Executive Order No. 122, and must ensure that customers remain six feet apart at all times.

All areas with communal seating shall be removed or cordoned off. Isolated seats or benches available for individual use may be accessible, in order to provide customers with a place to rest.
The following services or areas shall be closed at all indoor shopping malls:

• Valet parking;
• Vending machines;
• Stroller rentals; and
• Any type of communal play area.

Businesses located within the indoor portions of retail shopping malls that remain closed to the public by any Executive Order shall remain closed.

The mall, which has been closed since March due to Gov. Phil Murphy's executive order closing indoor shopping malls to stop the spread of the coronavirus, will retain its contactless pickup services. For anyone who is looking for a job, PREIT has established a job portal to collect contact information from interested candidates.

Before reopening, the Cherry Hill Mall will be cleaned, sanitized, have their water systems flushed and the fresh air will be increased in HVAC systems. After opening, the mall will undergo stringent cleaning and sanitizing procedures, especially in "high touch areas," PREIT said. Read more here: Cherry Hill Mall To Reopen June 29

See more stories about New Jersey's coronavirus recovery.

Later in the week, on Thursday, indoor dining will be permitted to reopen in New Jersey, limited at first to 25 percent capacity of the rooms in which they will take place, with a maximum of 100 people.

Restaurants and bars in New Jersey are already permitted to be open for outdoor dining. The return of indoor dining is welcome news for the Silver Diner in Cherry Hill, which has been working on an outdoor dining plan, but nothing has been finalized yet. It reopens for indoor dining on Thursday. Read more here: Silver Diner Cherry Hill Set To Reopen For Inside Dining

Limited in-person retail is already back, and hair salons and barber shops reopened on June 22.

In-person graduations can begin July 6. Cherry Hill’s two high schools had virtual graduation ceremonies earlier this month. In-person graduations are likely for Aug. 6. Read more here: Aug. 6 Graduation Likely In Cherry Hill After Murphy Announcement

The Cherry Hill Library has reopened for contactless pickup. Libraries in New Jersey, as well as museums, aquariums, bowling alleys, shooting ranges, arcades and indoor recreation can reopen at 25 percent of capacity on Thursday. Read more here: Cherry Hill Library Reopening For Contactless Pickup

Gym and fitness centers will be allowed to open on Thursday, but only for individualized training, and by appointment, involving one person and/or your family. On July 6, NJ Transit will return to full weekday service.

In cases of all reopenings, residents must follow safety and social distancing guidelines as set forth by the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention.

Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know