Numerous reports on Tuesday afternoon said Simon Property Group would reopen 49 malls that have been shuttered for more than a month due to the coronavirus.
The move comes as states relax their “stay-at-home” restrictions. Many are moving to “safer-at-home” guidelines and some states are almost entirely lifting their quarantine measures.
According to what a source told the Wall Street Journal, the properties to be reopened will operate with reduced hours and will offer free masks to shoppers at the mall management office, the person said.
Simon Property Group on March 19 announced that it would close all of its retail properties, including malls, premium outlets and mills, in the U.S. to address the spread of COVID-19. The measure was originally scheduled to end on March 29 but was extended as the coronavirus outbreak showed no signs of slowing.
“The health and safety of our shoppers, retailers and employees are of paramount importance, and we are taking this step to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” David Simon, chairman, president and CEO of Simon, said at the time of the closures.
