Giant retail landlord Irvine Co., owner of Fashion Island and Irvine Spectrum Center, says it is keeping its shopping centers open only for merchants providing “essential services.”

As competitors shut malls due to fears of the coronavirus spread, Irvine Co. said Thursday evening in a statement that stores open at its 39 shopping destinations in Orange County will be providing basic necessities following a new California “stay at home” order. These include “gas stations, pharmacies, grocery stores, convenience stores, take-out and delivery restaurants, banks, and dry cleaners.”

Thursday night, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered a statewide order that limits the public to going out to shop only for urgent necessities. Many retailers and shopping center operators have temporarily closed or dramatically altered business plans, either due to regulatory orders, concerns about worker and customer safety, or loss of business.

Health officials want the public to practice “social distancing” and venture out to public places only for those must-have goods or critical jobs.

Irvine Co. retail centers are primarily smaller, outdoor-oriented facilities. In Orange County, the company operates three open-air malls — Fashion Island, Spectrum and The Marketplace in Irvine/Tustin — plus 36 community shopping centers.

Numerous operators of traditional indoor malls have temporarily closed their centers in recent days, most notably South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa and industry leader Simon, which closed its 200-plus centers nationwide including 10 in Southern California. In addition, major retail chains, from Apple to Macy’s, also have closed as well as movie-theater operators.

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An Irvine Co. note to tenants on staying open, signed by its retail division president Butch Knerr, added: “Many stores have adjusted their regular business hours to allow time for additional cleaning, disinfecting, and restocking items. Additionally, some stores are offering special shopping times for seniors 65-plus and those with special medical conditions.