Austin-Area Malls Close Over Coronavirus Fears

AUSTIN, TX — The nation's biggest mall owner, Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, on Wednesday announced the temporarily closure of all its properties — including four shopping centers in Austin — in an effort to avert spread of new coronavirus through social distancing.

The closures were scheduled to be implemented at 6 p.m. CST on Wednesday, March 18, through March 29, according to a company-issued press advisory. In the Austin area, malls impacted by the closure are:

• Barton Creek Square, 2901 South Capital of Texas Highway.
• Lakeline Mall, 11200 Lakeline Mall Dr., in Cedar Park.
• The Domain, 11410 Century Oaks Terrace.
• Round Rock Premium Outlets, 4401 N. Interstate 35.

"The health and safety of our shoppers, retailers and employees is of paramount importance and we are taking this step to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities," David Simon, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Simon, said in a prepared statement.

The mall owner has 21 properties throughout Texas — from Allen to Houston and Grand Prairie to San Antonio — affected by the temporary closure. To see a full list of Simon-owned malls, click here.

The mass closures are in keeping with advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with numerous other health officials related to avoiding large gatherings in averting potential spread of the respiratory illness now known as COVID-19. The outbreak recently recognized as a pandemic is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that’s a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have sparked outbreaks in the past.