Oakdale Mall Waiting for HVAC Filters Before Reopening

There’s no word on when the Oakdale Mall will join facilities like Destiny USA in Syracuse in reopening.

The shopping center in Johnson City at last word was still waiting for the arrival and installation of air purifying and circulating systems mandated by the state. 

Last week Governor Andrew Cuomo said malls, that had expected to open with other businesses in phase four earlier this month but were left off the list, would finally be allowed to welcome shoppers and mall-walkers so long as they had filtration/purification systems with a MERV rating of 11, 12 or 13.  Those Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems are believed to be able to filter out even the smaller particulates in the air in which coronavirus particles can be suspended.

Stores with separate, outdoor entrances and exits like Burlington and JC Penny have been open.

The Oakdale Mall July 10 still had not received delivery of the new filters that will still need to be installed in order to reopen the inside of the retail facility.  The mall also has to have other health and safety guidelines to ensure sanitary conditions and social distancing.