Two of the biggest shopping mall owners in the country say they have no plans to shut down their malls despite an Ontario government recommendation against large gatherings of people because of COVID-19. Movie theatres and some restaurants, meanwhile, are cutting capacity to keep customers further apart.

Both Oxford Properties — which owns Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre — and Cadillac Fairview, which owns the Eaton Centre and Sherway Gardens — say they’re ramping up sanitation efforts, and encouraging people to stay away if they’re sick. But the malls will still stay open, at least for now.

“At this time, the province’s guidance on gatherings of 250 people or more does not apply to shopping centres, but we will continue to work closely with and take guidance from all of the relevant local health authorities,” Oxford Properties said in an emailed statement.

Cadillac Fairview spokesperson Janine Ramparas said the company hasn’t closed anything — yet.

“We’re closely monitoring guidance from government authorities and public health regarding the status of our operations. At this point in time, our office properties and shopping centres remain open,” Ramparas said.

Some malls did, however, reduce hours of operation to account for the virus. In London, Ont., the CF Masonville Place mall announced it will be open Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

An employee of a Sherway Gardens store, Fossil, tested positive for COVID-19 Thursday.

Retail analyst Lisa Hutcheson wouldn’t be surprised if malls are eventually closed, but points out that they’re qualitatively different than the mass gatherings at sports events and concerts that are being cancelled in droves.

“Will malls shut down? That might be the next thing, but we’re not they’re yet. The thing about sports events and concerts is that people are so close together. At a mall, there can still be some space,” said Hutcheson, managing partner at retail consultancy J.C. Williams Group.

Hutcheson sees some exceptions being carved out, even if governments put an outright ban on large gatherings, rather than a recommendation.

“There are some categories which are essential. You can’t stop people from buying food, or cleaning supplies or medicine,” said Hutcheson.

At Cineplex, the country’s largest movie chain, theatres are also remaining open, but capacity has been slashed, and sanitation increased, said spokesperson Sarah Van Lange.

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“We are reducing capacity in all 1,693 theatre auditoriums across Canada to allow for social-distancing. With reduced capacity auditoriums, we are providing our guests with the choice to sit where they feel most comfortable and safe from social-distancing perspective. While the Public Health Agency of Canada has assessed the public health risk associated with coronavirus as low for Canada, we continue to monitor for developments closely and will shift our operational approaches as needed,” Van Lange said.

At IconInk, which operates several high-profile clubs and restaurants, including Patria, Weslodge and Byblos, the company announced Friday that it was cutting capacity, to put more space between customers.