Over this past weekend, major Victoria shopping centres have announced that they will be allowing retailers to choose to reduce their hours in response to the growing coronavirus concerns.
Mayfair Shopping Shopping Centre, Uptown Shopping Centre, as well as the Bay Centre have all issued statements that state, beginning Monday, March 16th, they are providing their retailers with the option of reducing their operating hours to the following:
Mayfair Shopping Centre:
- Monday/Tuesday: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Wednesday to Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday/Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Uptown Shopping Centre:
- Monday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Bay Centre:
- Monday – Saturday: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m
- Sunday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m
During this time, mall spokespersons also ask that visitors check operating hours with retailers directly. These proposed reduced hours will remain in place for two weeks, at which point most shopping centres will re-evaluate the situation.
The malls will still remain open regular hours for those that wish to continue to operate as per their normal times, but individual retailers have all been given the option to reduce hours as they see fit.
There have also been several independent stores within the malls that have made the decision to close their doors across the nation for the time being in light of the outbreaks, including Lush, Aritzia, and lululemon.
The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 175,838.
Nearly 6,717 people have died from the illness and 77,871 have made a full recovery.
