Greenwood, Edinburgh officials wary of malls opening too soon

Several Indiana malls are set to reopen starting Monday, but local officials are worried it may be too soon.

Simon Property Group, the nation’s largest mall owner, announced Thursday on its website it planned to open about 80 malls across the country in the coming days and weeks, including 10 malls in Indiana.

The Greenwood Park Mall and Indiana Premium Outlets in Edinburgh will reopen Monday.

Gov. Eric Holcomb said Friday the state will ease stay-at-home restrictions starting Monday, allowing retail businesses, including malls, to open at 50% capacity.

Greenwood Park Mall’s Monday reopening date concerns Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers, but he trusts the governor’s judgement, he said. 

"It still scares me. I think it’s kind of early to open, and I’m concerned about it because too many people are going to try to get out," Myers said.

JT Doane, Edinburgh’s town manager, shared similar sentiments about the outlet mall reopening, but he too supports Holcomb’s decision to begin returning to normal, he said following the governor’s announcement. 

"This is not something that we’re going to just flip a switch and resume all of our activities and daily plans," Doane said. "I trust if we all follow the protocols and the mandates, then we will gradually get back to this new normal."

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett on Thursday extended Marion County’s stay-at-home order to May 15, saying the city was not ready to relax restrictions. He said he was "blindsided" by Simon’s decision to reopen malls as early as today. Under the city’s order, Circle Centre Mall, Castleton Square Mall and the Fashion Mall at Keystone will not reopen until May 16.

Indiana law allows for local municipalities to enact stricter orders than the state.

Greenwood will not extend its stay-at-home order to prevent the mall from opening, Myers said. The city’s order expired Friday.

"I will go with the governor’s recommendations on this unless we see a lot of issues with that. Then, we will respond accordingly," Myers said. 

Edinburgh will also not implement any additional restrictions, Doane said.

Both Myers and Doane said they have communicated with the local malls, and have gone over social distancing plans at each facility.

In the plan posted on its website, Simon listed all of the guidelines employees, retail tenants and customers should follow once the malls reopen. These guidelines include all employees wearing masks, recommending customers wear masks as well, and limiting the number of people and employees in each store. All masks will be supplied by the malls to its employees and the public, the guidelines said.

There will also be limited access to the food courts and bathrooms, and play areas will be closed completely. There will be markings on the floors to encourage social distancing, and only specific entrances will be open. 

Employees will be checked for fevers and COVID-19 symptoms before returning to work, and all customers are also asked to check their own temperatures before coming to the mall, according to Simon’s guidelines.

"They (Simon) are being very proactive toward preventing the virus," Myers said.