San Francisco is on the state’s watch list after a surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations, meaning indoor malls will need to close Monday — even though some retailers have only just reopened, putting safety measures in place to welcome people back.
Stephen Jordan runs a shop, Sakura
Sakura, and he’s worried about not having customers walking through the door.
“We’re a retail store, the money is
what we do here,” he said. “That’s the devastating angle.”
Japan Center malls are among the indoor shopping venues affected.
“Retail indoor is closing,” one Japan
Center retailer said. “Currently we’re trying to asses if we can apply for
curbside pickup to keep the restaurants open.”
They’re already had a few
businesses cease operations.
“Revenue numbers are down to 30% to
40%, the little ones maybe 10% and you can’t pay your rent and live in San
Francisco on that type of revenue,” the retailer said.
People can order online at Jordan’s
shop and also at Kohshi Master of Scents. They opened back up June 24, but now
they have to close again.
Many hope this is a wake-up call for people who aren’t serious about masks or social distancing.
The health order will also require private
healthcare providers to expand testing.
Source: NBC Bay Area