One of the country's biggest landlords and owner of Westfield malls says there is no reason why some retail stores cannot reopen and urged clarity from the Prime Minister after "confusing messages" from the government.

Scentre Group chief executive Peter Allen said 86 per cent of the tenants in its Westfield mall portfolio were allowed to trade but of those, only 39 per cent were open.

CEO of Scentre, Peter Allen, at Westfield Shopping Centre, Sydne Credit: Louise Kennerley

"It would help to get rid of this confusion, when you look at the categories that the government has said must close, such as gyms, nail bars and cinemas ... that's only 14 per cent of our tenants so potentially a lot of other stores could open," Mr Allen said.

"Government is confusing in its messaging ... they say there are restrictions in moving around, yet the PM says jobs are essential. But the one clear message from the PM is that retailers must honour their leases."