CT Post Mall Announces Reopening Date, Plans

MILFORD, CT — Based on guidelines recently announced by Gov. Ned Lamont and political and business leaders, Connecticut Post Mall, the state’s largest mall, on Thursday announced it will reopen May 20 under the state’s “Reopen Connecticut” plan, which establishes rules to protect shoppers and employees as the country rebounds from the coronavirus, mall officials said.

"Connecticut Post will institute comprehensive cleaning, disinfection, masking and social distancing protocols throughout the property per the governor’s directive," mall officials said in a news release. "In addition, the mall will be open on a reduced schedule for the first 30 days, and maintain a 50% occupancy of capacity per the governor’s directive. Although the property is reopening to the public, individual retailers will determine their own reopening time frame and hours of operation. A regularly updated list of open Connecticut Post retailers and restaurants is available on the website. "

"Connecticut Post is eager to safely reopen and welcome our guests back as we embrace a ‘new normal’ for center operations," General Manager Kenneth Sterba said. "Based on the state’s comprehensive plan, our center is instituting new policies and procedures to safeguard the health of our guests and employees, while enabling them to support the recovery of our local economy."

Reduced hours of operation

To allow more time to thoroughly clean and disinfect the property, Connecticut Post will operate on a slightly reduced schedule for the first 30 days, officials said. At that time, the mall will reassess, and based on guidance from government and public health officials, will consider increasing these hours, officials added.

From May 20 - June 20, the center will operate:

• Mondays to Saturdays: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Sundays: Noon-6 p.m.

Connecticut Post Implementing New Health-Conscious Policies and Procedures

"Consistent with the “Reopen Connecticut” guidelines, all mall employees will be trained on proper COVID-19-related sanitation and prevention practices. The property is also implementing one-way entries and exits to direct traffic flow and promote social distancing of at least six feet. Employees will be required to wear face coverings and regularly wash or disinfect their hands. Shoppers will be reminded via new signage to wear face coverings, continue social distancing, and practice safe hygiene."

In addition to initially limiting capacity to 50%, the center has temporarily cancelled events that would be expected to draw crowds. The mall will continue to engage customers with virtual events; smaller events during which social distancing can be practiced will be phased in.

Additional health safeguards will include:

• Janitorial staff disinfecting all high-touch common areas at regular intervals throughout the day. This will include: restrooms, door handles, trash bins, elevator buttons/escalator handrails, tables and chairs, strollers and wheelchairs.
• Temporary closure of some high-contact amenities, including drinking fountains.

Connecticut Post also strongly urges anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 within 72 hours to not to visit the shopping center.

New “Welcome Back” Programs Designed to Foster Comfort and Connection

To increase the comfort of our guests and foster reconnection with our retail and restaurant partners and the community, Connecticut Post is launching two new welcome back programs:

• Ambassador Program: Connecticut Post Mall ambassadors will welcome guests as they enter the mall and, at their request, provide “wellness amenities,” including hand sanitizer and face coverings. Ambassadors can also answer common questions shoppers have about the new protocols and the mall’s reopening.

• Gratitude Wall: Connecticut Post Mall wants to help its shoppers say a special thank-you to everyone who continued to serve them throughout this trying time by providing a wall where thank-you notes can be written on post-its and attached for all to see. Notes can be written to a specific person, or they can be more general for healthcare workers or other categories of first-responders – anyone shoppers want to thank.

Retail-to-Go Curbside Services

For the time being a growing number of Connecticut Post’s retailers and restaurants will begin to offer “Retail-to-Go” curbside services, allowing shoppers who place orders online or via phone to pick up their purchases curbside at a social safe distance without leaving their car. For a list of retailers and restaurants offering this service is available on the mall’s website.