SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Destiny USA, one of the largest malls in the nation, is staying open even as some of its stores shut down or restrict their hours as the coronavirus pandemic reaches Onondaga County.

At the same time, some other malls in the country have closed.

The King of Prussia mall in suburban Philadelphia, also one of the largest malls in the country, closed Sunday. The American Dream mall in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey plans to close today.

Why is Destiny staying open?

“We’re in close communication with the CDC and government officials,” Nikita Jankowski, a spokesperson for the Syracuse mall, said Monday. “We’re following their lead and suggestions. Right now, like everyone else, we’re watching to see what happens next. We are open at this time. We’re taking it day by day, minute by minute.”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo today ordered that all casinos, gyms, movie theaters, bars and restaurants in the state to shut down by 8 p.m. Monday. That order would appear to apply to at least portions of the mall.

An earlier Cuomo order banning events with more than 500 people exempted retail establishments.

Cuomo said Monday he is reluctant to order all retail establishments in the state to close because shoppers may then simply drive to nearby states to shop.

Jankowski said mall management is looking into details of the governor’s latest order to determine its impact on the facility.

The mall draws 26 million visitors a year, according to its website. That’s an average of 72,000 people a day, spread out throughout the day and night with shoppers coming and going constantly.

The mall has more than 2 million square feet of gross leaseable space, with total square footage even greater than that. Jankowski said management was keeping the mall open -- for now -- because thousands of people could be in the huge building without coming into close contact with each other.

“We’re not right on top of people,” she said.

However, at least eight tenants have made the decision to close temporarily because of coronavirus concerns -- the Apple store, Urban Outfitters, Starbucks, Abercrombie, Lush, Lululemon Athletica, Journey VR and The Franciscan Place.

“Due to concerns regarding COVID-19, our store is closed for the safety and security of our customers and associates,” a sign at the Abercrombie clothing store said.

This sign on the Abercrombie store at Destiny USA on Sunday, March 15, 2020, notifies shoppers that the store is closed due to concerns about the coronavirus.Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com

In addition, these stores have restricted their operating hours -- Brooks Brothers, Ann Taylor, The Loft, Nordstrom Rack, Claire’s, Billy Beez, Ulta and Forever 21.

On its website, the mall says it is using cleaning and disinfectant solutions recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to sanitize the facility.

The website also encourages employees, tenants and shoppers to follow CDC preventative measures as part of their daily routines, including washing their hands, covering their cough and staying home if they are sick.

The mall, the sixth largest in the nation and the largest in New York, has canceled certain events, such as gatherings by nonprofit groups. In addition, some motor companies have canceled trips to the mall, and many schools have canceled field trips to the mall, Jankowski said.

The closing of the mall would have a substantial economic impact. An estimated 5,000 people work at the mall, which is a major generator of sales tax dollars for Onondaga County.

Officials confirmed the first known case of the novel coronavirus in Onondaga County on Monday morning. The patient is a woman in her 70s with significant underlying medical problems, according to Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta. Gupta said the patient has been admitted to the hospital.

New York State leads the nation with 960 confirmed coronavirus cases, with seven patients dead from the disease.

MORE ON CORONAVIRUS

· List of CNY schools closing

· A county-by-county map of cases, deaths in New York State

· How fast is coronavirus growing in New York?

· Here are the latest closings of events

Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact him anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148

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