The indoor portions of retail shopping malls may reopen to the public at 6 a.m. June 29. Gov. Phil Murphy made the announcement on June 18 as he continued to lift restrictions that had been in place during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.
New Jersey’s shopping malls have been closed since mid-March.
“Malls are an undeniable part of New Jersey culture and we want these businesses to get back up and running in a safe, responsible manner,” Murphy said. “To keep our restart moving in the right direction, we ask New Jerseyans who wish to head out to the mall or any public setting to do so safely.”
Retail businesses in the interior of shopping malls are permitted to reopen to the public, but must comply with certain requirements, according to a press release.
Restaurants in the interior of a retail shopping mall are restricted to offering takeout and delivery services, but they may also provide in-person service at outdoor areas outside the shopping mall.
Retail kiosks in malls may operate subject to the certain requirements and must ensure that customers remain 6 feet apart at all times, according to the press release.
All areas with communal seating will be removed or cordoned off. Isolated seats or benches that are available for individual use may be accessible to provide customers with a place to rest.
Employees and customers must wear a face covering while on the premises, except where doing so would inhibit that individual’s health or where the individual is under 2 years of age, according to the press release.
If a customer refuses to wear a cloth face covering for non-medical reasons and if a covering cannot be provided to the individual by the mall at the point of entry, the mall must decline entry to the individual, according to the press release.
The following services or areas will remain closed at all indoor shopping malls: valet parking; vending machines; stroller rentals; and any type of communal play area.
Entertainment and recreational businesses including gyms, fitness centers, movie theaters, amusement parks, water parks and arcades that are in the indoor portions of retail shopping malls will remain closed until further notice, according to the press release.
