LOS ANGELES, Aug. 9 -- While most shopping malls, restaurants and other retailers are struggling to stay afloat amid the COVID-19 crisis that has shuttered many businesses, some found a new way to adapt to this challenging time: going outdoor.
South Coast Plaza (SCP), one of the most famous luxury shopping destinations in Southern California, kicked off this weekend a collection of elegantly-designed, open-air luxury suites, dubbed The Pavilion, erected in their parking structure, which provide a safe and private one-on-one, in-person buying experience for high-end shoppers.
Up to 100 of 250 high-end boutiques in the biggest shopping mall in the West Coast are participating in this new and safer approach to reopening.
"We wanted to give our guests a way to shop in person safely from our boutiques that had to temporarily close to comply with Governor Newsom's order. We already offer curbside pickup with more than 100 participating boutiques," Debra Gunn Downing, executive director of marketing and spokeswoman for South Coast Plaza, told Xinhua on Friday.
According to the guidance issued by the state government of California, counties on the County Monitoring List must close indoor operations for many business sectors, including shopping malls, hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, gyms and fitness centers like yoga and dance studios, among others.
As of Sunday, there are 38 counties on the list, including every county in Southern California such as Los Angeles and Orange County where the SCP is located.
However, those sectors can remain open if they move operations outdoors.
The San Diego City Council unanimously passed measures last Tuesday extending the permits of local businesses to operate outdoors to help them survive the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the new regulation, the waiving of permitting requirements to allow restaurants and retail stores to conduct business on private parking lots, adjacent sidewalks and on-street parking areas was extended from 45 days to 10 months and 15 days.
In Santa Barbara, a coastal city renowned for the Mediterranean-style white stucco buildings with red-tile roofs in downtown, the city council voted unanimously late May to make about a mile of State Street, a main commercial artery, into a pedestrian promenade.
It allowed restaurants and bars to add seats and tables on the sidewalk, in the street and in parking lots and this move brought relief to many local restaurants, bars and shops which are suffering months-long pandemic and restrictions threatening to drive them out of business.
Then nail salons, a museum and even Yoga classes in the city, 150 kilometers north of Los Angeles downtown, went outdoor.
According to a report of local KEYT 3 news channel, at least three Yoga studios began their outdoor classes last month, and all of them ordered a speaker and mic to add to the outdoor experience.
"CorePower is all about community and there's no community if our doors are closed," CorePower co-owner Brandon Cox told KEYT 3. "We knew that we were allowed to do yoga outdoors."
Teachers and students get their temperatures taken before entering studio. Anyone with a fever will be kindly asked to leave, the report said, adding attendees must wear masks until they are seated or standing on their designated mat space.
Downing from the SCP also said the mall reopened certain areas for shopping, after taking advice from public health officials and top industrial hygienists, with "higher than ever standards for cleanliness" that include a state-of-the-art air treatment system, implementing social distancing practices, improving cleaning protocols, and disinfecting surfaces frequently throughout the center.
"Our ongoing commitment to your health and safety is unwavering," said the SCP spokeswoman.
There are also 30 restaurants of all kinds at the plaza and many of the outdoor venues have reopened their terraces and patios.
Those restaurateurs are adapting to the COVID-19 crisis together, some by helping each other keep their businesses open, Downing told Xinhua. In one instance, Chef Ross Pangilinan of Terrace by Mix Mix lent his open-air space to Chef James Hamamori of Hamamori Sushi to enable him to keep his business open.
In San Diego, about 200 permits allowing restaurants and retailers to open sidewalk cafes have been granted so far, the local The San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper reported.
"Everything we can do to allow our small businesses to survive this pandemic, we should be doing," said Councilwoman Barbara Bry.
国内英语资讯:China sees 782 mln domestic tourist trips during National Day holiday
国际英语资讯:Pompeo says senior DPRK official to deliver letter from Kim Jong Un to Trump
国内英语资讯:Chinese chief trade negotiator invited to hold new round of trade consultations in U.S.
体坛英语资讯:Real Madrid fans celebrate Champions League win
体坛英语资讯:Toulouse survive to stay in Ligue 1
体坛英语资讯:Larsson beats Riske for WTA Nuremberg Open title
国内英语资讯:China establishes state medical insurance administration
体坛英语资讯:Chinas Wang takes revenge on Venus Williams into French Open 2nd round
体坛英语资讯:Neymar not yet at 100%
国内英语资讯:Xi exchanges congratulations with six CEE countries on 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties
国内英语资讯:Chinese premier stresses importance of human resources, talent for high-quality development
国际英语资讯:Brazilian truckers strike claims first victim
国际英语资讯:Zimbabwe to hold general election on July 30: President Mnangagwa
“中华文明探源工程”实证中华文明5000年
国际英语资讯:German, Portuguese leaders promise united European response to U.S. trade tariffs
体坛英语资讯:Brussels 20k marathon sees 550 treated due to extreme heat
国内英语资讯:Beijing horticultural expo sees tourism boom during National Day holiday
国际英语资讯:Portuguese PM Costas party leads in election: exit polls
国际英语资讯:Moscow issues protest over FBI interrogation of Russian MP
国内英语资讯:CPC reviews plans on rural vitalization, poverty relief
体坛英语资讯:Police investigate death threats against Liverpool goalie after Euro defeat
体坛英语资讯:Spain defeats Serbia to set up Poland clash at FIBA World Cup quarters
国内英语资讯:Chinese enjoy greater geographical flexibility in utilizing medical insurance
体坛英语资讯:Ricciardo takes pole position in F1 Monaco GP
国内英语资讯:China-Russia relations positively evaluated at thinktank forum
体坛英语资讯:Real Madrid wins UEFA Champions League for 3rd straight year
国际英语资讯:U.S. House committee subpoenas Pentagon, White House budget office in impeachment inquiry
国内英语资讯:China, Austria to strengthen military cooperation
体坛英语资讯:Warriors star Iguodala to miss Game 7 due to injury
体坛英语资讯:Germany defeat Canada 82-76 at FIBA World Cup
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |