Some metro malls open for business, more to reopen today

ATLANTA — Some of metro Atlanta’s biggest malls opened for business this weekend. Others plan to reopen in the next 24 hours.

At Lenox Square in Buckhead, the owners will require workers to take safety precautions, even before coming to work.

Simon Malls, which operates Lenox Square, wants all their employees to make sure they have no symptoms of the coronavirus.

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They also said workers must wear a mask when they show up for work Monday at Lenox Square.

The Outlet Shoppes in Woodstock was open Saturday, but some stores stayed closed.

“It ended up just being kind of surreal where you just go and no one’s there,” shopper John Rampsott said.

Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza will open for business Monday. Some shoppers think it is too soon and people can get exposed to the coronavirus.

“I'm fearful of people not taking safety precautions and I rather be safe than to shop right now,” Tanya Moor said.

Arbor Place Mall in Douglasville set up sanitizing stations. Many retailers require their workers to wear masks and wipe down their equipment.

The Avalon Mall in North Fulton county is open for business again with safety measures to protect shoppers from the virus.

Here are the changes you can expect at Simon Malls, including Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza and the Mall of Georgia.

• Employees will be required to screen themselves at home. Anyone with a fever over 100.4 degrees or flu-like symptoms they will be required to stay home.
• Properties will be limited to a target level of 1 person per 50 square feet. Entrances will be restricted.
• Employees and security will be actively reminding people to maintain proper distances from other shoppers.
• Food Court seating will be limited and spaced out. Reusable trays, cups etc will not be available.
• All play areas and stroller/valet stations and drinking fountains will be closed.
• Signs will be set up to encourage better traffic flow in common areas.
• In restrooms every other sink and urinal will be taped off to encourage proper spacing between individuals.
• Each night there will be enhanced sanitizing and disinfecting to meet CDC guidelines.

[COVID-19 Tests expanding for essential workers without symptoms in Georgia]

There are also several plans set up for individual shoppers.

• Shoppers are encouraged to check their temperature and stay home if they have flu-like symptoms.
• Shoppers are encouraged to wear masks or facial coverings while in the mall. They are also encouraged to frequently wash their hands or use sanitizer. Masks and sanitizing wipes. Free temperature testing will also be available.

Many malls change open date after Georgia begins to reopen The malls are in metro Atlanta and north Georgia

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