Macerich malls receive hygiene and safety certification

Malls used to get top ratings for high sales per square foot. These days, encomia come for low germ levels per square foot.

Macerich, one of the nation’s leading mall operators, has earned the SafeGuard Hygiene Excellence and Safety Certification for 11 of its properties from Bureau Veritas, an internationally recognized testing concern that has been in business since 1828. Macerich owns 37 centers that did not apply for the certification, but which have instituted the same set of health and hygiene protocols.

These included intensified cleaning and sanitizing; use of electrostatic sprayers; requiring and providing masks; social distance queuing; and adhering to CDC recommendations for path of travel, deliveries, and furniture placement. Macerich properties now also contain high-quality HVAC systems with hospital-grade filtration.

"We're pleased that our properties meet the high bar for hygiene and safety as measured by Bureau Veritas and think this seal of approval can help make a difference for people as they choose where and how to shop," said Macerich executive VP Olivia Bartel Leigh.

Malls receiving the certification were Lakewood Center, Los Cerritos Center, Vintage Faire Mall and Stonewood Center in California; Queens Center and Kings Plaza in New York; Tysons Corner Center in Virginia, and Washington Square in Oregon.