Renewable energy
Other shopping centers revise guidance or let tenant retailers set restrictions
Regarding “True leadership, humility must light the way,” (A10, March 4): Bravo for former Speaker Joe Straus’ article stating that true leaders face problems head-on, instead of dodging them by distraction. Our current elected leadership in Austin should stop pandering to lobbyists, Washington, D.C., talking points and presidential politics and instead focus on issues to improve the lives of everyday Texans, such as education, health care and reliable energy.
John Turner, Cypress
While Texas is ending the mandate to wear masks, a number of Houston shopping centers are not.
While Gov. Greg. Abbott announced he would end the statewide mask mandate and lift all COVID-19 restrictions by next week, visitors to the Galleria, the state’s largest mall, will continue to need to wear masks in accordance with owner Simon Property Group’s policy across its portfolio of more than 200 shopping centers.
As part of the policy, implemented last year because of the coronavirus pandemic, Simon requires its employees, retailer’s employees and shoppers to wear masks. Free face coverings will be provided upon request.
Simon owns 21 centers in Texas, including the Galleria, Houston Premium Outlets in Cypress and Katy Mills.
Similar policies were in effect across the region. Shoppers at
Market Street — The Woodlands and other retail centers in the Howard Hughes Corp. portfolio also won’t see changes.
“The Howard Hughes Corp. will continue to enforce the COVID protocols, including masks and social distancing, that are now in place within the common areas of our portfolio,” Laura Manning, vice president, portfolio manager for Hughes said in an
email. “Our retail tenants have outdoor access points. Each tenant controls the protocols inside their own premises.”
The policy at Pearland Town Center, south of Houston, is less stringent. Marketing Director Nicole Bowen said the mask wearing requirement in the city of Pearland recently expired, and the property’s signage will be updated next week to encourage shoppers to wear masks in accordance with CDC guidelines.
“Individual stores may require that customers wear a mask or face covering to enter the store,” said Stacey Keating, a spokeswoman for property owner CBL Properties of Chattanooga, Tenn. “Mall office employees, vendors, as well as security and maintenance staff will also be required to wear masks or face coverings when in the common area or interacting with others.”
Brookfield Properties, which operates 13 malls in Texas, including Baybrook, Deerbrook, First Colony, Willowbrook and The Woodlands in the Houston area, is sorting out its next steps after Gov. Abbott’s latest announcement.
“We are working through the specifics of the announcement and will keep our community updated as necessary,” spokeswoman Rachel Wille said in an email. “As always, the health and safety of our shoppers and staff at all of our properties is our highest priority.”
Rice Village, a shopping area owned by Rice Management Co., leaves the masking decision to its tenants.
“It is at the discretion of each individual business at Rice Village to determine if their employees and customers are required to wear masks inside their business locations,” it said in a statement.
Company policies can change, depending on reactions of employees and customers, among other factors.
Randalls, the supermarket chain, tweaked its policy Friday, saying that it would require masks at all its stores, rather than make them voluntary for customers.
“Although the state mandate will be lifted effective March 10, 2021, our front-line associates have not had full access to the vaccine,” it said in a statement. “Subsequently, our stores and facilities in Texas will continue to require masks for associates, vendors, and customers regardless of the mask mandate being lifted.”