By Matt Arco | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
New Jersey’s indoor malls may reopen to shoppers on Monday for the first time in months after they were ordered closed to slow the coronavirus outbreak.
Masks are mandatory and malls have to adhere to 50% capacity limits. But the very New Jersey economic icon is back in business.
New Jersey motor vehicle inspection stations are also reopening Monday with a slate of additional permitted activities including amusement parks, arcades and indoor dining set to reopen Thursday.
Inside portions of malls have been closed since March 17. While Gov. Phil Murphy allowed nonessential retail stores to reopen two weeks ago, malls were left out of the order. Stores that had exterior doors with direct access for shoppers, however, could reopen.
When the common indoor areas of the malls reopen, all customers and employees will be required to wear face coverings at all times while inside, except for those with medical conditions that make that impossible and children under 2. The mall must deny entry to customers that refuse to wear a face covering, according to an administrative order signed by Col. Patrick Callahan, superintendent of the State Police.
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Communal seating and food courts must remain closed. Isolated seats and benches are allowed. Kiosks can operate, though customers must remain 6 feet apart at all times.
Restaurants and eateries at malls can offer takeout, delivery, and outdoor dining, but indoor dining remains banned, as it is throughout the state, until later this week
Indoor entertainment businesses, such as movie theaters and arcades, will remain closed, as they are statewide.
Also off limits: valet parking, vending machines, stroller rentals, and communal play areas for kids.
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