Towne East Square mall in Wichita closes amid coronavirus concerns

Towne East Square mall in Wichita will be closed to shoppers for more than a week amid coronavirus concerns.

Simon Property Group announced in a news release that all of the company’s retail properties, including Towne East Square, will close at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The malls will be closed until at least March 29.

“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,” said Simon SEO David Simon in a statement.

In addition, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment mandated new quarantine measures Wednesday afternoon.

The state is mandating a 14-day quarantine for anyone who has:

▪ Traveled to California, Florida, New York or Washington state on or after March 15.

▪ Visited Eagle, Summit, Pitkin and Gunnison counties in Colorado in the week prior to March 15 or after.

▪ Traveled on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15.

▪ Traveled internationally on or after March 15.

Those who are under home quarantine should not attend school, work or any other setting where they are not able to maintain a 6-foot distance from other people, the state’s news release said. People are not required to report their travel to the state.

This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 4:55 PM.