Here's what shopping in Toronto will look like as malls open for Stage 2

As Toronto enters Stage 2 of the province’s reopening framework on Wednesday, you will be able to go shopping at the mall again.

The City’s most popular malls will be opening their doors but things may look a little different.

According to the provincial framework, “malls may need to institute the policies that were put in place by retail outlets that remained open as essential businesses or were permitted to reopen during Stage 1, including engineering and administrative controls.”

Toronto Eaton Centre

The Eaton Centre has said that they have implemented “enhanced” cleaning practices, prior to the provincial shutdown. As the mall reopens, it has committed to continuing these efforts.

There will be signage that will reinforce hand washing and advising customers to stay home if ill. There will also be hand sanitizer stations throughout the mall.

There will also be increased signage to ensure physical distancing.

Limitations on the number of people allowed in elevators at a time will also be put into place.

Measures will be put into place to ensure safe distancing on escalators. The Eaton Centre will also be installing floor-markings.

There will be an increased security presence. This will include security personnel at entrances and key checkpoints that will assist with traffic flow. It will also assist with customer enquiries and adherence to social distancing.

Guest services will be opened during centre hours.

The nursing room will be open as well. There will be controlled access and cleaning procedures put into place after each use.

Restaurants will continue to provide clients with take-out services only. This will include the Urban Eatery. Seating inside of the Urban Eater has been removed or covered up. This measure was taken to comply with provincial guidelines. There will also be new social distancing measures put in place for line-ups. This will include floor markers and stanchions.

There will be curbside pick-up at the centre to support retail partners. There will be eight locations around the shopping centre. These locations will be marked with signage.

Operating hours will start at 11 am to 7 pm but the Eaton Centre has said that they will evaluate hours over the next few weeks and will update “as required.”

Yorkdale Shopping Centre

Yorkdale’s hours of operation will be 11 am to 7 pm.

Yorkdale has said that they have increased their cleaning frequency in both high-touch and high-traffic areas. They have also said that they are using practices and products that are identified by health organizations.

Signage will be installed around the shopping centre. This is for reinforcing physical distancing, guiding customer traffic flow and hygiene.

Hand sanitizer will be placed throughout the shopping mall. There will also be limited capacities in elevators and washrooms.

There will be seating available but some has been removed or marked as out-of-use. This is to help ensure physical distance.

All valet parking operations have been suspended.

Water fountains and Smarte Cartes have been decommissioned.