Cuomo on reopening malls: Will shoppers follow the rules? - syracuse.com

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Albany, N.Y. — While it’s possible New York’s malls could develop good plans to reopen safely, the real question is whether people would follow the new rules, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday.

“There is a big variance between what is theoretically possible and what can actually happen in reality,” he said. “Well, we’ll have the rules and we’ll enforce the rules. Yeah, I understand that. But that’s also theoretical.”

Cuomo said the state is looking at reopening malls and understands local officials want to move faster. A group of Syracuse-area Assembly members held an event today to push for the reopening of Destiny USA.

Cuomo said he’s as eager as anyone to reopen.

“No one is more aggressive than I am,” he said. “But I’m not foolish either.”

Cuomo noted that the state’s data-based approach to reopening has been proven right. The virus has continued to decline even as businesses have restarted.

“Look at our progress,” he said. “Look at how we’re doing on reopening. We are exactly where we said we would be on the phases. The data is good.

“At one point, you can’t argue with the results.”

Malls and other nonessential businesses in New York first closed in March to help slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. A phased reopening began in Central New York and several other regions in May.

Destiny outlined numerous steps it would take to reopen safely before Central New York entered the second phase of the state’s restart plan, when the mall expected to reopen. The mall’s safety plans included requiring masks, implementing one-way walking traffic inside, limiting hours and using markings to ensure social distancing.

But so far, indoor common areas of Destiny and other malls in the state have remain closed.

The mall and its supporters argue that shoppers have already been allowed to return to other retail stores. Even beaches have reopened.

It’s unfair, supporters say, to require mall stores to stay shut if thousands of people can spend their money elsewhere.

Cuomo’s office said the risk was too great. The mall’s common areas encourage large groups to congregate and window shop.

Some mall tenants with their own exterior entrances or doors nearby have been allowed to reopen, but most remain dark. A group of 41 of those tenants recently issued a statement calling for the state to allow them to return.

Destiny itself has asked Cuomo to reconsider the decision on malls.

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