Livingston Mall Reopens; 'Important Economic Engine' Restarts

LIVINGSTON, NJ — An “important economic engine for the local community” is back in business, the owners of the Livingston Mall announced Monday.

After closing on March 19 due to the coronavirus, the Livingston Mall is back open for indoor shopping. The mall had been offering curbside pickup, but now – after Gov. Phil Murphy’s go-ahead – will be letting shoppers back onto the premises.

• See related article: Here's How To Shop At NJ Malls Starting Monday Amid Coronavirus

Representatives with Simon Property Group, which owns the Livingston Mall and others in New Jersey, said the reopening will give the area a much-needed economic boost.

“Livingston Mall is an important economic engine for the local community, providing more than 2,000 jobs and contributing $8.7 million of sales tax and $3.6 million in property tax revenue to the state,” the company stated. “These tax receipts fund essential services in communities, including education and infrastructure as well as health and safety services.”

“Our property is an integral part of our community not only in terms of shopping, dining and entertainment, but also job creation, small business growth and community support,” Livingston Mall General Manager Stephen Croner said.

“We look forward to once again serving the needs of our community, and doing so in a safe and responsible manner,” Croner added.

Simon Property Group has published its plan to protect shoppers and staff from COVID-19. It can be seen here.

Protocols include:

• Enhanced sanitization and disinfecting using the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 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 COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms within 72 hours.
• Hand sanitizing stations will be deployed throughout the property.
• Signage promoting CDC guidelines for maintaining personal hygiene will be prominently displayed throughout the property.
• Pre-emptive employee health screening to ensure that employees do not arrive at work within 72 hours of exhibiting COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms.
• Employee safety protections including implementing the CDC’s COVID-19 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.

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