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Shoppers can expect several changes when local malls reopen

For seven weeks, Grove City Premium Outlets in Mercer County has been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The outlet mall has 130 stores gearing up in hope of reopening soon, but things will be dramatically different when shoppers come.

Simon Property Group, who owns the property, has released a comprehensive COVID-19 reopening plan.

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Under the plan, employees will be required their temperature at home, if it’s 100.4 degrees, they cannot come in. Once at work they will have to do another temperature test and health screening. All employees will have to wear masks, wash their hands frequently and maintain social distancing.

For shoppers, there will be signs all over the place helping you navigate the changes. They’ll be certain parking lots for shoppers, markers placed along the sidewalks, arrows telling people which way to go and how far apart they should be.

They’ve put tape on every other bathroom sink and stall to maintain safety and distance.

Play areas will stay closed.

The mall will also have masks and sanitizer on hand for shoppers. They will limit the amount of people inside the stores -- one person per 50 square feet -- and urge shoppers to use debit or credit cards instead of money to cut down on the interaction.

The mall is also limiting hours to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and then Sunday noon until 6 p.m. in order to clean and disinfect

Mercer County said mall management says it is looking forward to Friday when Gov. Tom Wolf announces if he will lift some restrictions in certain counties. They hope Mercer County is one of them and they will be ready to reopen.