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Tampa Bay area malls closing, reducing hours to limit spread of coronavirus

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TAMPA, Fla. -- In an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus, several malls in the Tampa Bay area are reducing hours or temporarily closing all together.

COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS

Westfield Brandon

Westfield is temporarily closing the "majority" of its shopping center. Katie Woolridge, the senior shopping center manager, released this statement.

To our valued Westfield customers,

During this unprecedented time, we have been carefully considering the health, safety, and overall wellbeing of our community, tenants, employees, and customers every step of the way as the coronavirus (COVID-19) news unfolds. These are extremely challenging days for many, but we do believe that we will prevail together, our collective strength seeing us through this crisis.

As a company that takes its role in the local—and global—community seriously, Westfield is committed to doing what is right. Therefore, as of tonight, we have decided to temporarily close the majority of our shopping center operations to further contribute to the fight against this pandemic.

I want to emphasize that we are still here for you… and not just in spirit. We are doing everything we can to ensure that essential retailers will remain open to support you. Please refer to our website for a list of those retailers and real-time changes in their hours. And don’t hesitate to reach out to us at brandon@us.westfield.com if you have any questions.

Now more than ever, it’s critical that we not only take necessary measures to help protect ourselves and those we love, but also remain optimistic. Envisioning brighter days ahead is sure to summon our most positive and proactive selves—I certainly see time and again in our community how challenges don’t beat us down, but instead bring out the best in us.

Our most hopeful thoughts are with you, and we will be in touch very soon with our plans to reopen our doors and welcome you back. Thank you for your continued loyalty, understanding, and support.

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Tyrone Square, Tampa Premium Outlets & Ellenton Premium Outlets

Simon Property Group announced the closure of all its retail properties, including Tyrone Square, Tampa Premium Outlets and Ellenton Premium Outlets on Wednesday. The malls will be closed until at least March 29.

"The health and safety of our shoppers, retailers and employees is of paramount importance and we are taking this step to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities," said David Simon, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Simon.

→ City leaders vote to close Clearwater Beach for two weeks amid coronavirus concerns

Westshore Plaza

Westshore announced on Tuesday it's reducing store hours. The new hours are:

  • 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday
  • 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

Gov. Ron DeSantis has been asking residents in the state to adhere to social distancing guidelines released by the CDC. That means limiting groups to 10 people or less and staying six feet away from others.

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