UPDATE: Following the Governor's announcement that the Southern Tier will not move into Phase 2 Friday, the Arnot Mall announced it will not open. 

BIG FLATS, N.Y. (WENY) – The Arnot Mall will reopen for business on Friday, May 29.

Officials made the announcement to the merchants that operate in the mall. It came a day after Chemung County Executive Chris Moss told WENY News the Southern Tier region was “on the right track” to begin Phase Two of New York State's reopening plan, which is set to start May 29 for the region.

Until further notice, the mall will operate at reduced hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

When arriving to the mall, employees are asked to use the service entrances, as the main entrances will be locked until 11 a.m. Before opening, officials say walkers will not be allowed into the mall for the time being, as staff needs to the time to sanitize daily.

“As we prepare to open for business, we are entering uncharted territory,” said Arnot Mall marketing director Shelly Rich Bartlett. “Our priority is to keep you, your employees, our employees, our vendors and our customers safe. We all must do our part in preventing further spread of COVID-19 virus.”

Mall officials suggest the following guidelines as they plan to reopen:

  • All employees should be trained in COVID-19 safety guidelines
  • Employees should assess their health before returning to work. If an employee is experiencing a fever or have flu-like symptoms (chills, sore throat, cough, body aches), they should remain home.
  • If an employee is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have experienced symptoms within 72 hours prior to the start of their shift, they should not report to work and should contact such symptoms to their supervisor.
  • Hand sanitizer products should be made available in store
  • Occupancy within stores should be limited in order to facilitate social distancing and in compliance with state/local requirements, as directed by the Chemung County Health Department
  • Facial coverings should be worn by employees and their vendors while performing work duties or interacting with other people
  • Encourage employees to take frequent breaks to wash their hands
  • Social distancing of 6 feet among customers and employees should be observed whenever possible
  • Touchless or contactless transaction technology is encouraged
  • Signage, stanchions and other appropriate measures should be implemented to maintain and encourage social distancing requirements
  • In the event of an employee testing positive for COVID-19, the store should notify the CDC and local public health officials and take the necessary steps recommended by the CDC, which including thoroughly sanitizing and disinfecting the store