Merced Mall preparing to reopen next week. Shoppers must follow these precautions
In just over a week, eager shoppers can return to the Merced Mall — but the June 4 reopening date will greet both patrons and employees with a new set of guidelines.
The mall will be open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mall-goers are encouraged to follow certain precautions aimed at preventing further spread of coronavirus as more destinations reopen. Face coverings, social distancing and sanitation efforts are recommended, according to the mall’s website.
Patrons with a fever or cold and flu-like symptoms like a cough, sore throat, runny nose or body aches are asked to stay home.
Merced Mall employees will be held to more stringent standards. Masks and daily temperature checks are required, and those with COVID-19 related symptoms must stay home. Common areas should be regularly disinfected and social distancing should be suggested via distancing markers and extra space between seating, the site says.
Signage is encouraged to remind shoppers and employees of COVID-19 safety precautions recommended by the Center for Disease Control.
Mall Miles, an indoor walking program in collaboration with Dignity Health Mercy Medical Center and the mall, will not be allowed at this time, according to the site.
The Merced Mall can reopen under the county’s state-approved advanced Stage 2 opening. Counties like Merced given the green light to move faster may open up destination retail like shopping malls and swap meets after day 10 to 14 of reopening. Merced County was approved on May 19.
Newsom this week allowed more destinations to reopen statewide and in counties permitted to reopen quicker.
Religious services and retail may now resume across California. Hair salons and barbershops can open in regions like Merced County that have been approved by the state for advanced reopening.
Funding for county businesses
The county announced in a news release Wednesday that a COVID-19 Reopen Merced County Fund has been established to support small businesses facing hardships during the pandemic. The fund provides grants to small employers in order to prevent possible layoffs or facility closures due to COVID-19.
Only Merced County businesses are eligible for funding. Up to $1,000 is available for businesses with one to 25 employees and $2,000 for businesses with 26 to 50 employees.
Worknet Merced County designated $160,000 of local and state rapid response funding for the fund. Funding will be in two phases, with the second beginning July 15, and will continue until the state’s COVID-19 emergency order is repealed or until funds are exhausted.
The funding can be used to pay for items that allow businesses to maintain operations during COVID-19. This includes the purchase of remote access equipment, services or tools to convert to online sales, cleaning or sanitation supplies and other items the business needs to avoid employee layoffs.
Funding cannot be spent directly on employee wages or benefits, the release said.
Businesses can get more details and apply online now at www.ReopenMercedCounty.com/RMCFund.
Coronavirus in Merced County
Five new Merced County residents tested positive for coronavirus Wednesday, bringing the total to 278 individuals having been infected, according to County Public Health.
Ten more people recovered from the disease since Tuesday, raising the recovery tally to 176. Residents still ill come to 95 total.
Seven individuals have died from COVID-19 related complications in Merced County. The most recent fatality was reported Monday.
Three of the new cases are City of Merced residents. Merced claims the highest number of infected persons at 107. Delhi and Atwater each gained another case, tallying 23 and 22, respectively.
This story was originally published May 27, 2020 at 5:15 PM.
