Saudi mall operator Arabian Centres to reopen 20 shopping centres this week

Saudi Arabian Centres Company (ACC) has announced that it will reopen 20 shopping centres in 10 cities from Wednesday, April 29 until May 13 in line with recently announced government guidelines.

Only Makkah Mall will stay closed while the city remains under 24-hour curfew.

The malls will be open daily from 9.30am to 4.30pm. However, all cinemas, entertainment facilities, hair dressers and beauty salons will remain closed. Cafes and restaurants will only provide delivery services from 3pm to 3am daily through mobile apps.

The company has carried out a “deep clean sterilisation programme” of its centres ahead of the reopening and staff as well as visitors will be required to wear a mask and gloves, a statement said.

Mall authorities will take the temperature of all visitors, including store staff and delivery workers with a requirement to keep proper social distancing measures.

Olivier Nougarou, CEO of Arabian Centres Company said the kingdom’s “decisive actions” has enabled it to “resume business ahead of most countries”.

“We do ask that customers take note of the health and safety precautions in place to wear a mask and gloves and keep to appropriate social distancing while shopping,” he added.

Saudi Arabia closed all malls and retail outlets last month as a preventive measure to curb to spread of Covid-19. Earlier this week, the kingdom announced that few businesses including malls, wholesale retailers and trade stores will be allowed to reopen in most regions during Ramadan.

Read: Saudi Arabia eases curfew and business restrictions across the country, except in Makkah

Local retailer Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair has also announced it will reopen its fashion and other units from Wednesday, April 29, except for its outlets in Makkah.

The company confirmed that it is sterilising its stores ahead of reopening.

Stores reopening in shopping centres will be open from 9.30am to 4.30pm daily and the company’s food and beverage outlets will remain available through mobile apps for delivery from 3pm to 3am.

A smaller number of retail units that operate in street locations have already reopened.

As part of the ongoing measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, no refund or exchange of goods will be permitted during this period. Changing rooms will be closed and contactless payments by credit or debit card are encouraged, a statement said.

Fawaz Abdulaziz Al Hokair operates 1,550 stores across the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.