Retail junkies can get their shopping mall fix starting Friday

By News Staff

While malls in Toronto remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, shopping centres in Durham, York and Halton are set to reopen on Friday but the shopping experience is expected to look a whole lot different.

Markville Mall in Markham, Lime Ridge Mall in Hamilton and Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket are just three places in the GTA where retail junkies will be able to get their fix.

Cadillac Fairview officials say enhanced cleaning practices, which were implemented prior to the provincial shutdown, will continue at its Markville and Lime Ridge locations, while signs reinforcing the importance of proper hand hygiene will be visible throughout the mall.

Mall officials say measures to create one-way traffic through common areas, identifying specific entry and exit only doors and floor markings will be in place to control crowd density and ensure physical distancing.

“We will also be limiting the number of elevator occupants, ensuring safe distancing on escalators, and installing floor-markings to aid in distancing efforts,” officials say in a release regarding the new protocols.

“Our property team will work with retail clients to identify overflow areas or holding areas where these lineups could be placed.”

Food courts will be open but only for take-out service as seating has been removed to comply with provincial health guidelines.

Cadillac Fairview says in the event a retail client or one of its employees tests positive for COVID-19, or comes into contact with a suspected case, “robust procedures” are in place which include prompt notification, sending employees home and deep cleaning impacted areas. A complete list of protocols can be found here.

Officials at Upper Canada Mall have released a video detailing the measures they are taking to make the shopping experience as safe as possible. They pretty much mirror the efforts being undertaken at Markville.

Upper Canada has offered tips on planning your trip to the mall, which include checking to see if the retailer you want to visit is indeed open, pre-planning your route before heading out, including the places you need to visit, and creating a checklist of everything you need to pick up.

Of the almost 80 retailers listed on the Upper Canada website, 18 have decided to delay reopening until next week, and in some cases, next month. Check their website for store hours and who is open or not.

Officials at that mall are also recommending that shoppers wear a face covering but nowhere does it say it is mandatory.

Provincial and city health officials have stressed that where physical distancing is not possible, a face covering or mask is recommended to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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