Socially distanced Santa at Tysons Corner Center this holiday season
TYSONS CORNER, Va. - The COVID-19 era has accelerated Americans’ gradual move toward online shopping – but for some, the holidays aren’t the same without hitting the shops.
On Tuesday, popular Virginia mall Tysons Corner Center provided highlights of what shoppers can expect – with coronavirus safety front and center.
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Maybe the most startling change will be to Santa, who will return to the mall on Friday.
With social distancing as a primary safety measure against the novel coronavirus, the days of tykes sitting on Santa’s lap to request presents are on hold.
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Instead, visitors will have to settle for talking to Jolly Ole Saint Nick from behind a physical barrier to prevent youngsters from getting too close. Santa – along with all mall employees – will be wearing a mask, and a sanitizing station will be available.
Mall management believes its HVAC system and space will enable visitors to maintain healthy distances.
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And, according to the mall, it’s implementing intensified cleaning and sanitizing procedures and meeting local requirements for mask-wearing. In addition, visitors will be subjected to social distance queuing.
They say retailers are also implementing safety features like contactless payment options, plexiglass shields at the register, social distancing and mask requirements.
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Signs will also be posted around the property outlining health protocols.
Some of the other safety features include:
- Extended hours to accommodate smaller crowds
- Curbside pick-up for some retailers and restaurants
- Virtual queuing – customers can receive a text when it’s your turn to visit the store
Although not required, the mall is recommending that shoppers make reservations through its website.
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To find out more about the safety measures and shopping features, you can visit the Tysons Corner Center’s website.