Metro Manila malls to temporarily close amid COVID-19 threat

Several operators of malls in Metro Manila have announced the temporary closure of their establishments amid threat brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

They did however note that select stores, such as groceries and drug stores, will remain open to provide basic services.

1. Ayala Malls

All malls will be temporarily closed starting Monday, March 16 until further notice.

"In compliance with government directives on General Community Quarantine, and in the interest of health and safety, all Ayala Malls in Metro Manila will be temporarily closed for operations effective March 16, 2020 until further notice," the advisory read.

This covers TriNoMa, Greenbelt, Alabang Town Center, Market! Market!, Glorietta, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, U.P Town Center, Ayala Malls Marikina, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Shops at Serendra, Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls Circuit, Ayala Malls Legazpi, Ayala Malls The 30th, Ayala Malls Vertis North, and Fairview Terraces.

"However, in order to continue servicing the community, establishments offering basic services shall be kept open, such as supermarkets, drugstores, convenience stores, banks, and other essentials," said Ayala Malls.

2. Greenhills Mall

Greenhills Mall will be closed from Sunday, March 15, until further notice.

Essential services such as supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, restaurants with food deliveries, and establishments offering medical services will continue to remain open to the public.

The advisories follow a Metro Manila Council resolution urging all local governments in the National Capital Region (NCR) to issue ordinances for the temporary closure of malls and other establishments.

3. Powerplant Mall

To prioritize the health and safety of their tenants and in support of recommendations of local authorities, Powerplant in Makati has closed beginning Sunday, March 15. 

But Powerplant clarified drug stores and groceries will remain open, as restaurants which will gladly take your orders for deliveries.

4. Robinsons Malls

Robinsons Metro East will be temporarily closed starting Monday, March 16, but establishments such as Robinsons Supermarket, drug stores, and banks will remain open.

5. SM Supermalls

"For everyone’s safety and in support of the government’s efforts versus Covid-19, our Metro Manila malls will be closed starting March 16, 2020 until further notice," SM Supermalls announced in a Facebook post.

However, key establishments such as supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, hardware shops, select restaurants that offer take-aways or which home deliver would remain open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Sunday.

6. Vista Malls

Vista Malls in Metro Manila will be implementing temporary mall closure starting March 16, 2020 until further notice, in compliance with government directives on General Community Quarantine and for the safety and well-being of our customers, partners and employees.

7. Shangri-La Plaza

While Shangri-La in Mandaluyong has closed started Monday, March 16 until further notice, drug stores supermarkets, convenience stores, and banks in the complex will remain open to serve the public. 

8. Starmalls

Starmalls are closed until further notice beginning Monday, March 16, except for supermarkets, drugstores, convenience stores, home essentials, hardware needs, banks, and select restaurants.

9. Araneta City Malls

The three malls in Cubao's Araneta City — Ali Mall, Gateway, and Farmer's Plaza — are temporarily closed starting Monday, March 16. Essential establishments however, like supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores, medical and dental clinics, banks, and restaurants with takeout and delivery services will remain open.

Metro Manila has been placed in a month-long community quarantine starting Sunday, March 15.

Malacanang on Saturday released a set of guidelines including prohibiting mass gatherings, including movie screenings, concerts, sporting events and other entertainment activities, and community assemblies.  

Refresh this page for updates. — LA, GMA News