Only about 35 out of Bower Place Mall’s 175 outlets remained open on Wednesday, with most shops posting temporary closure notices in an attempt to protect staff and patrons.
Isolation measures from the COVID-19 virus created an eerie mid-afternoon setting at the Red Deer mall that now features mostly shuttered stores, hair salons and restaurants.
Staff at the retailers that are remaining open are waiting to hear further notifications from their bosses or head offices.
While The Hudson Bay store has also temporarily closed, the Shoppers Drug Mart is among the stores that are remaining open.
However, a notice to patrons of the pharmacy asks that the first hour of shopping, from 9 to 10 a.m., be reserved for older and vulnerable shoppers to help protect them from contracting the virus.