South Coast Plaza Worker Tests Positive For COVID-19, Mall Closes

IRVINE, CA — On Monday afternoon, an employee of South Coast Plaza tested positive for new coronavirus, commonly known as COVID-19. That was the breaking point that sent upscale Orange County mall into total shutdown.

The mall will be temporarily closed for 14 days, they said on their website.

Special events, such as the spring garden show, have been canceled, Debra Gunn Downing, spokesperson for the mall told Patch.

The positive test "reinforced the need for us to take action," according to Downing. "Our understanding that closures of public gathering places in Orange County are important for a chance to meaningfully stem this pandemic is the reason we took this action."

The individual infected with the COVID-19 virus was working in the Christian Louboutin boutique, French luxury footwear and handbag store, Downing told Patch.

Their condition was not known as of this report.

"We are joining hands with our retail leaders in doing all we can to assist in stemming the COVID-19 pandemic, the mall said on their website.

The shopping center closed at 7 p.m. Monday, though the Christian Louboutin boutique closed earlier in the day.

Meanwhile, Macy's has announced it will close all of its stores by the end of the day due to the coronavirus, and stores will remain closed until at least March 31.

The closure includes all Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Bluemercury, Macy's Backstage, Bloomingdales the Outlet, and Market by Macy's stores.