More than 5,000 people visit Plaza Las Américas in the first hours of its reopening

The flow of consumers that at the edge of 3:00 in the afternoon had participated in the reopening of the Plaza Las Américas shopping center – which, like thousands of businesses in Puerto Rico, was forcibly closed for 76 days due to the pandemic of COVID-19-reached more than 5,000 clients, many of whom monopolized the three tickets destined as officers from early in the morning as if it were a sale of Black Friday specials.

Long lines outside the establishment marked the restart of operations of 130 of the 300 stores in the mall that will be operating during special hours from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., period in which Clients – after prior reservation in the Plaza App – have access in two four-hour shifts: one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

“It was what we expected… at 9:45 in the morning, some 1,600 people had already entered, including 700 employees and about 112 walk-ins (people who at the last minute and without prior reservation came to make purchases). We had planned for today more than 4,000 reservations in Plaza for more than 7,000 people, considering that two are allowed per reservation, “said Juan Manuel Román, Operations and Strategy Manager of the Fonalledas Companies, owners of Plaza Las Américas and Plaza del Caribe, in Ponce.

Once inside Plaza Las Américas, people – who had their temperature taken before entering – dispersed towards the stores they were planning to visit. Consumers had to walk unidirectionally to avoid colliding with other individuals. Some were unaware of the guideline, and soon a member of the security team was guiding them about it. There was receptivity among customers to follow the health and safety protocols of the shopping center and of each establishment, where only 50% of its capacity was allowed to enter according to building codes.

Those who were going to the medical tower were confused at one point because they thought they had to make the kilometer long lines, but the truth is that there is a particular entrance for those clients. In fact, an elderly couple over 80 years old left the place angry because they thought they had to make a reservation to go to their doctors’ offices and to the bank. Customer service personnel were eager to guide them.

Most of the consumers were young people and adults who had planned the items they wanted to buy. Instead, some like Grisel Cruz and Kimberly Díaz, who traveled from Fajardo to the metropolitan area, left a little disappointed because they did not find what they were looking for. People with a physical limitation can request to enter first, Román said.

“We came to buy the things for the baby that she is going to have, but neither Macy’s nor JCPenney are open … but, nothing, we went to another store and bought her first Jordan stockings,” Grisel said, referring to the creature that Kimberly carries. in her womb with a due date for August.

Of the anchor stores, only Sears reopened today, while JCPenney is slated to begin work on June 8. Macy’s has no reopening date yet. GAP, Marshall’s, Victoria’s Secret or Zara were also not available. In addition, many kiosks located in the corridors, also did not reopen today. “Many of the employers are still in the process of complying with the self-certification required by the Department of Labor … others respond to the policies of corporations,” Carlos Ayala, member of the communications team of Empresa Fonalledas, told Primera Hora.

Among the businesses that did receive customers and were well received – judging by the ranks in front of their facilities – were sports shoes (Champs and Foot Locker), garments (PANDORA) and clothing (Old Navy).

The trio of friends Francis Martínez, Heidi García and Jomary Torres traveled from Bayamón with the purpose of buying clothes.

“Really, everything has been well organized. They’re putting disinfectant on our hands before we go in, and there’s not much of a stir. I feel safe to be here, ”said Heidi.

They agreed that there were “good specials” at Old Navy. “Almost the entire store especially,” Jomary said.

The young women were not uncomfortable with the fact that they could not measure their clothes as it is prohibited in the last executive order of Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced as a precautionary measure to prevent outbreaks of contagion from the SARS-Cov-2 coronavirus.

“Look, it doesn’t bother me,” Heidi said, to which Francis added “neither to me.”

For his part, Raymond Seda already had his shopping list completed at 10:30 in the morning. He was focused on buying tennis that had already been seducing him before quarantine, but due to not having enough savings, he had not been able to buy.

“Really, everything has been flowing well… it’s great for the Father’s Day purchase. I took advantage of it, ”said the San Juan resident.

He explained that the stores he bought from established a broader return policy than they had before the pandemic, calling it “convenient.”

“They used to give 30 days for a change and now they have extended it for all the coronavirus for an additional 30 days,” he said, referring to the Champs and Foot Locker stores.

Although there are no age limitations for entering the Plaza, management suggests that children not be taken to the establishment, as stated by organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Puerto Rico Department of Health. Rich. It is also not recommended that older adults or people with chronic health conditions attend.

The government provided that for every 100 square feet there may be one person in the mall. “That equates to 19,000 people at a time, at any given time, in Plaza Las Américas and about 9,000 in Plaza del Caribe,” Lorraine Vissepó, communications spokesperson for the place, had explained yesterday.

“We have responsibly prepared ourselves to receive employees and visitors in an orderly manner and in compliance with CDC recommendations and minimizing risks for all. We trust that consumers and employees, all, follow the protocols and observe the recommendations that include the use of sanitizer, access to the taking of temperatures at the entrance, maintain physical distance and comply with the use of masks “, Vissepó determined at remember that on Sundays, by executive order provision, shops will be closed.

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