Bay Area malls prep to reopen

Westfield Valley Fair and Westfield Oakridge plan to open San Jose malls

Two of the Bay Area’s biggest malls, Westfield Valley Fair and Westfield Oakridge, intend to reopen their doors within days, shopping center executives said Friday.

Modified hours for the reopening of the Valley Fair and Oakridge shopping centers in San Jose are slated to be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, according to executives with France-based Unibail-RodamcoWestfield, the principal owner of the malls.

In-store shopping will be allowed at the two San Jose malls, according to a Westfield Valley Fair representative.

“Westfield is excited to open our doors again to the community as we begin our initial recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Leah Heil, vice president of shopping center management with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield.

The two shopping centers will open on Monday..

To assure a safe experience, the two malls will:

• Increase the frequency of cleaning measures with a focus on high-touch areas such as restrooms, play areas, dining areas, and water fountains.

• Monitor and control the number of guests entering the centers and crowds in common areas and places where lines might form.

• Launch and enforce policies related to social distancing, face masks for employees and customers, along with other preventative measures.

• Provide an increased number of hand sanitizer stations.

“We are working closely with county officials and other relevant community groups to ensure a healthy, clean and safe environment for our customers, tenants, and employees,” Heil said.