The Mall of America shut down Tuesday and plans to stay closed through March 31 in response to the coronavirus outbreak. A growing number of a national retailers are doing the same.

The 5 p.m. closure came a day after the Bloomington mega-mall said it was only shutting down its Nickelodeon Universe theme park and leaving the decision on whether to reduce hours or close all together up to the stores themselves.

But on Tuesday two big mall tenants — Nordstrom and Macy’s — said they were temporarily closing all stores across the U.S. at the end of the day. Several other retailers with stores at the Mall of America, including Apple, Abercrombie & Fitch, Anthropologie, Foot Locker, Nike and REI, already had closed.

“Our top priority at Mall of America is protecting the health, safety, and well-being of our tenants, guests, and team members,” the mall said in a statement Tuesday. “These are unprecedented times that require unprecedented actions.”

While Gov. Tim Walz on Monday ordered bars and dine-in restaurants, including mall food courts, close to the public — as well as movie theaters, fitness clubs, gyms and bowling alleys, among other places — some wondered why malls have been allowed to stay open.

Walz has emphasized his order was hardly a green light for all activities and businesses not specifically excluded — and that everyone should use their common sense when it comes to observing social distancing.

Officials from the Mall of America, which has more than 500 stores spread across nearly 5 million square feet, alluded to that on Tuesday.

“We respect Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’ leadership and decision to further enhance community mitigation to stop people from gathering and potentially spreading the disease,” the mall’s statement read. “Complying with Governor Walz’ order is the right thing to do for the state, for our tenants, guests, and our team members.”

OTHER MALLS STAY OPEN

It is yet unclear whether other local malls will follow the Mall of America.

On Monday, Rosedale Center in Roseville and Ridgedale Center in Minnetonka announced they were cutting back mall hours, while also leaving any closures up to the tenants. No further announcements were made by either mall Tuesday.

Macy’s has stores at all three stores, while Nordstrom has stores at the Mall of America and Ridgedale.

Washington Prime Group, the company that owns Maplewood Mall in Maplewood and Northtown Mall in Blaine, said Tuesday that hours would be reduced at both malls until further notice. They will open at 11 a.m. (Sundays 12 p.m.) and close daily at 7 p.m. (Sundays at 6 p.m.).

TENANTS SCRAMBLE

On Tuesday afternoon, workers at the Chapel of Love, which has held weddings at the mall for nearly 26 years, were scrambling to get in touch with couples who had already booked their ceremonies over the next two weeks.

“We’ve had frantic brides calling, and I’ve called people that don’t even know the mall is closing yet,” said Tairie Starr, wedding coordinator.

The business is giving couples the option to change their dates, but that’s tough, Starr said, “when we don’t know for sure when we’re going to reopen.” Other couples have decided to move their ceremonies to Heritage Chapel in Inver Grove Heights, or to a park.

One couple was supposed to get married at the mall at 5 p.m. Tuesday — when the mall closed the doors.

“They got a hold of all their guests, and the good news is that we’re doing their wedding at 4 p.m.,” Starr said.