Malls with updated air filtration systems in areas already in Phase IV of the state’s re-opening plan can allow people in public areas beginning on Friday, July 10.
Crossgates is ready to open and will do so on Friday, said Jennifer Smith, the malls marketing director who works for the umbrella company Pyramid Management Group.
“The governor’s announcement was great news for Pyramid’s tenants, their employees, our own employees and all of the people living in the communities where our properties are located,” she said in a statement. “With proper precautions in place and health and safety a top priority, we look forward to restoring our centers to their dominant positions as the economic drivers or their respective regions.”
It was not immediately clear if Colonie Center has installed the High Efficiency Particulate Air filters, as required by the state. When COVID-19 is airborne it is carried by particles of about .125 microns and there are HEPA filters that can filter particles as small as .01 microns.
“When we look around the country we are seeing malls, air conditioning systems and indoor air spaces that are problematic,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said previously.
Retail with an entrance independent of a malls’ common space were allowed to do curb side pickup and opened for in-store shopping along with other retailers, but many smaller stores in the malls were not allowed to do business.
Most of upstate, including the eight-county Capital District, is in Phase IV but gyms, casinos and movie theaters remain shuttered.
Crossgates and other malls across the state have been closed since mid-March.