The Indianapolis-based REIT, which owns 108 malls, posted on its website a set of tenant guidelines and COVID-19 protocols for its properties. They include:

• Limited business hours: (Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday Noon-6 p.m.) to allow for enhanced sanitizing and disinfecting.
• Employee screening: Workers with temperatures exceeding 100.4 degrees or exhibiting flu-like symptoms like cough or body aches will be required to stay home.
• Employee-safety protections: This includes face masks and access to hand sanitizer and hand-washing stations.

Traffic technologies will monitor social distancing to ensure that overall occupancy at each property does not exceed 1 person per 50 square feet. Security officers will actively remind and encourage shoppers to maintain proper distance from fellow shoppers and workers and to refrain from shopping in groups. Shopping center management will make regular announcements over audio systems to remind shoppers of their part in maintaining a safe environment for everyone.

Simon will limit food-court seating and space seats out, and remove reusable items like trays and utensils. It also will tape off every other restroom sink and urinal. The company also will reduce and reconfigure common-area seating and for now will close play areas, stroller and valet stations and drinking fountains. Also in common areas, signage on doors and floors will indicate which direction shoppers should walk, and Simon will mark certain doors as entrance only or exit only. The company also will use markers to maintain social distancing for queues, such as customers waiting to enter the shopping center.

Meanwhile, Simon will encourage shoppers to take their own temperatures, perform health checks prior to visiting and wear masks or facial coverings while shopping. The company will provide free sanitizer and face masks to shoppers who request them.