The first Tucson-area mall has reopened since coronavirus-related closures went into effect nearly two months ago.
Tucson Premium Outlets opened Friday with extensive safety protocols in place.
Along with occupancy limits in the stores, employees will wear protective equipment, hand-sanitizing stations will be placed around the open-air mall and masks will be available for shoppers.
The mall, on Twin Peaks Road near Interstate 10, had been closed since March 19.
“The health, safety and well-being of the community we serve will always be our highest priority, and we have developed a thorough and detailed set of protocols highlighting the exceptional measures we’ve implemented for shoppers, retailers and employees as we reopen,” said Kyra Monroe, the mall’s general manager. “We also recognize that individuals and families in our community are suffering significant hardship as a result of both COVID-19 and the economic shutdown, and we believe that reopening our property will not only help people get back to work during these challenging times, but also enable us to use our property to further support charitable initiatives.”
The mall will be hosting food bank and clothing drives, as well as blood drives.
Tucson Mall and Park Place remain closed and have not yet announced plans for reopening.
Photos: First night of the Tucson Dragway Drive-In Theater
Dragway Drive-In
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Nadia Buus, left, and Cassandra Nessinger catch the last of the day's light from atop Nessinger's vehicle while waiting of the start of the movie at the Tucson Dragway Drive-In Theater Powered by Griffith Automotive Repair & Restoration, May 8, 2020, Tucson, Ariz. The showing sold out online well before the gates at the track opened at 6:30 for the showing of Pixar's Cars. About 500 total, 250 per the two screens, filled the parking lot.
Dragway Drive-In
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Steven and Katalia Boggs wait for the show to start in style from their well-illuminated 1966 Mercury Parklane for the Tucson Dragway Drive-In Theater Powered by Griffith Automotive Repair & Restoration's showing of Pixar's Cars, May 8, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
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Josh and Meghan Leunen share their helping of lava cake from the bed of their truck while cars still file into the lots at the Tucson Dragway Drive-In Theater Powered by Griffith Automotive Repair & Restoration's showing of Pixar's Cars, May 8, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Dragway Drive-In
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Isaiah Valdez peers out from the trunk of his car, with two stout table legs providing extra support of the hood, before the start of the night's showing of Cars at the Tucson Dragway Drive-In Theater Powered by Griffith Automotive Repair & Restoration, May 8, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Dragway Drive-In
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William John makes the best use of a spare tire and a pillow for his seat at the Tucson Dragway Drive-In Theater Powered by Griffith Automotive Repair & Restoration, May 8, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Dragway Drive-In
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About forty minutes before screen time and the cars are still making their way onto the lots at the Tucson Dragway Drive-In Theater Powered by Griffith Automotive Repair & Restoration, May 8, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
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Three members of the audience perch on the roof of a pick-up as the movie Cars gets underway at the Tucson Dragway Drive-In Theater Powered by Griffith Automotive Repair & Restoration, May 8, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
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Crew fight a pesky wind under an ominous sky to get the inflatable screens secured as sun sets over the Tucson Dragway Drive-In Theater Powered by Griffith Automotive Repair & Restoration, May 8, 2020, Tucson, Ariz. The wind and a few sprinkles gave way just before dark settled in for good.
