Westfield Mall in Palm Desert to reopen on Friday

The Westfield Mall in Palm Desert will reopen on Friday, May 29, with modified hours.

The mall's new hours will be:

• Monday through Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sunday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Visit KESQ.com/Coronavirus for more local updates, including updated case totals and the latest on additional reopenings

Mall officials also said government-mandated health and safety protocols will be implemented around the mall. There will also be new services and amenities addressing customer concerns during this initial recovery phase in the community.

“Westfield is excited to open our doors again to the desert community as we begin our initial recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Franchesca Forrer, Marketing Director. “We are working closely with local officials and other relevant community groups to ensure a healthy, clean and safe environment for our customers, tenants and employees; and are committed to providing the best experience possible as business begins to operate at the center.” 

Safety protocols will include:

• Increasing the frequency of cleaning measures following CDC and local health department guidelines, with a focus on high-touch areas such as restrooms, play areas, dining areas, and water fountains;
• Monitoring and controlling the number of guests entering the centers and crowds in dwell areas and queuing lines;
• Implementing and enforcing relevant policies related to social distancing, face masks and other preventative measures; and
• Providing an increased number of hand sanitizer and hand washing stations.

Officials say the mall is also working with select retailers to facilitate curbside pick-up and home delivery services to make it as easy as possible for customers to quickly and safely get what they have bought.

More details on these programs are available from individual retailers, or through westfield.com/palmdesert.

The mall will reopen exactly one week after Riverside County officials announced that California had approved the county to move into accelerated stage 2 reopening. This allowed for in-dining restaurants and malls to once again operate, however safety modifications needed to be made.

More Details: CA approves Riverside County to reopen malls, dine-in restaurants

The Gardens on El Paseo, Palm Desert's outdoor shopping center, will reopen on Tuesday, May 26. No word on when the Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon will reopen.