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TRENTON – Gov. Phil Murphy and Superintendent of the State Police Col. Patrick Callahan announced June 18 an administrative order that permits indoor portions of retail shopping malls to reopen to the public June 29, at 6 a.m.
“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,” stated Murphy. “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.”
According to a release, retail businesses located in the interior of shopping malls are permitted to reopen to the public, as long as they comply with the requirements contained in Executive Order 122. Restaurants within the interior of a retail shopping mall are restricted to offering takeout and delivery services, except that they may also provide in-person service at outdoor areas outside the shopping mall under Executive Order 150.
Retail kiosks located within malls may operate, subject to the applicable requirements contained in Executive Order 122, and must ensure that customers remain 6 feet apart at all times.
All areas with communal seating shall be removed or cordoned off. Isolated seats or benches available for individual use may be accessible to provide customers with a place to rest.
Indoor shopping mall operators should evaluate floor plans and establish policies to minimize congestion points and maintain social distancing, such as a customer flow plan with floor markings or separate entrance and exit points.
For the mall’s employees, operators must require infection control practices, provide employees with break time for handwashing, and provide sanitization materials, among other requirements. The order also states that employees and customers must wear face coverings while on the premises, except where doing so would inhibit that individual’s health or where the individual is under 2 years old.
If a customer refuses to wear a cloth face covering for non-medical reasons and if such covering cannot be provided to the individual by the mall at the point of entry, then the mall must decline entry to the individual.
The following services or areas shall be closed at all indoor shopping malls:
- Valet parking
- Vending machines
- Stroller rentals
- Any type of communal play area
Businesses located within the indoor portions of retail shopping malls that remain closed to the public by any executive order, such as entertainment and recreational businesses including gyms, fitness centers, movie theaters, amusement parks, water parks, and arcades, shall remain closed.
A copy of the administrative order can be found here.
