FAIRLAWN, Ohio – Summit Mall in Fairlawn and the Aurora Farms outlet mall in Aurora are temporarily closed due to concerns of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Both malls are set to be closed until at least March 30, according to Simon Malls, the owner of the two shopping outlets.

“After extensive discussions with federal, state and local officials and in recognition of the need to address the spread of COVID-19, we will be temporarily closed,” reads a message on the mall websites. “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 community.”

A spokeswoman for Simon Malls declined to comment further on the company’s decision to voluntarily close the malls.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has closed businesses including restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters, barbershops and salons and recreation centers, but not shopping malls.

Rachel Feeley, a spokeswoman with the Ohio Department of Health, previously told cleveland.com that’s because it’s unusual for people to be gathered close together in shopping malls. She also said the state’s decision to keep malls open is “fluid,” and could change.

Before it announced its closure, Summit Mall was one of several in Ohio that had amended its hours and bolstered its cleaning procedures in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

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