Ocean County Mall May Have A Radically Different Reopening

TOMS RIVER — As certain coronavirus mitigation measures continue in New Jersey, Gov. Murphy has given a glimpse as to what businesses may reopen first. But they'll be opening their doors to a murky, post-pandemic future — one that is unlikely to resemble the world before the outbreak began.

That reality could be the future for Ocean County Mall in Toms River and 12 other New Jersey malls owned by Simon Property Group, which has already opened 59 shopping centers in 13 states and in places where the virus has not hit as hard.

Simon has taken a lot of precautions in those malls, and they offer more than a glimpse of what could happen in New Jersey (see the list below).

Just don't expect those shopping meccas to be in front of the reopening line (see list of Simon malls and shopping centers below).

The reopening date for nonessential businesses in New Jersey remains unknown, even as Gov. Murphy has suggested that small businesses could be among the first to go. Contruction jobs and beaches, too, could be among the first to reopen, and beaches could also be open by Memorial Day weekend. Read more: Gov. Murphy May Allow Small Businesses To Reopen Amid Coronavirus

But Murphy has not indicated what's going to happen to malls or other places that typically attract large gatherings, although he said on Monday that he plans to provide a robust testing and contact tracing plan on Tuesday. Read more: Gov. Murphy: 'Robust' Coronavirus Test, Tracing For Reopen Coming

Murphy also said he plans to provide "hard dates" for reopening the state's economy by the end of the week. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Here is what Simon is doing at its malls:

• Food courts are takeout only, entrances are limited, and temperature-taking will be offered via infrared thermometers.
• The malls are aiming to not exceed a targeted level of one shopper per 50 square of space.
• They're also working to restrict the number of entrances to properties and, like grocery stores, will establish lines to manage traffic.
• On its webpage, Simon indicated that it's requiring employees to wear protective equipment on the job. The company said it is recommending that its tenants follow suit.
• Individual tenants within malls are responsible for managing the occupancy in their specific stores. The properties will be sanitized nightly, the company said.
• Announcing the reopening schedules in other states, Simon struck an optimistic note, saying that some of its tenants experienced "much stronger than expected sales" and citing "significant pent-up consumer demand."

Here New Jersey's Simon malls and shopping centers:

• Gloucester Premium Outlets in Blackwood
• Jackson Premium Outlets in Jackson
• Jersey Shore Premium Outlets In Tinton Falls
• Livingston Mall in Livingston
• Menlo Park Mall in Edison
• Newport Centre in Jersey City
• Newport Crossing In Jersey City
• Newport Plaza in Jersey City
• Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrenceville
• Rockaway Townsquare in Rockaway
• The Mills at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth
• The Shops at Riverside in Hackensack.

"Shopper response to our reopenings has been very positive," the company said in a statement. "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)

With reporting from Patch editors Justin Heinze and Lanning Taliaferro