Macy's reopening: New rules customers, employees will have to follow
SAN FRANCISCO -- Macy's has announced a plan to reopen all 775 of its department stores around the country over the next six to eight weeks. But things won't be exactly as they were before the novel coronavirus pandemic.
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The reopening comes with new rules and restrictions that employees and customers will have to follow. There will be no more ear piercings and makeup samples will be for looking, not touching.
"Beauty colleagues may only use testers on face charts using single use disposable applicators, provided the store has disposable applicators and hand sanitizer available," read the new guidelines.
Macy's CEO Jeff Gennette outlined several other changes in a presentation Thursday, including:
- Bra fittings are on hold until further notice
- Dress shirts will not be available to try on in-store
- Customers have to use hand sanitizer before trying on jewelry and watches
- Fragrance samples will be given on blotters, at customers' requests
- Beauty and makeup testers will only be for customer viewing, not sampling
- Alteration services suspended
- Ear piercing services not allowed
- All "spa-like services" suspended
Employees will have to wear company-issued masks, undergo "wellness checks" before going to work, and clean high-touch surfaces frequently. Sneeze guards will be installed at checkout counters and hand sanitizer will be installed at stations around the store.
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Macy's is phasing in store reopenings state-by-state, reports the New York Times, starting with its Georgia, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Tennessee locations.
It's not clear if the San Francisco-based department store will be allowed to open its California locations anytime soon; Gov. Gavin Newsom announced relaxed restrictions on retail businesses Monday, but explicitly said shopping malls are not included.
