Malls ramp up cleaning as relaunch approaches

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Shopping malls around Calgary are getting ready to reopen in phase one of the province’s relaunch plan.

Many centres including Market Mall are ramping up cleaning and safety measures as they anticipate 40 to 50 per cent of stores to reopen Thursday.

“We’re putting a big effort on making sure that any high-volume areas or any areas where there are touch-points are cleaned on a much more regular basis and sanitized at the same time.”

https://twitter.com/CFMarketMall/status/1259848226146078720

Darren Milne is the general manager of the mall and said they will double down on cleaning, and increase security to make sure mall goers are physical distancing.

“When people come into the mall, they’ll immediately see some differences. The exterior doors are going to be designated as enter and exit. When they come in the mall, they’re going to see floor decals directing which way traffic should go.”

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Many amenities at the mall will stay closed including drinking fountains, kid’s play areas, and seating.

Food courts will also see some big changes.

“In an effort to eliminate touch-points, we won’t be having food court trays,” said Milne. “All services by our food court vendors will be take-out only and there will be limited seating for people to sit at.”

Milne added customers and employees at the mall are also encouraged to wear a mask at all times.

Cadillac Fairview, which owns Market Mall and Chinook Centre, plans to have both centres open as part of the Alberta relaunch strategy, which kicks in Thursday.