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Gov. Holcomb Addresses Reports That Simon Malls Will Reopen Friday

(Steve Burns, WTIU/WFIU News)
(Steve Burns, WTIU/WFIU News)

In Governor Eric Holcomb’s daily COVID-19 briefing Tuesday, he was asked about a CNBC report that Simon Property Group would start reopening malls across the country Friday. 

The company is headquartered in Indianapolis and owns 10 malls in Indiana, including College Mall in Bloomington.

Simon Property Group announced it would temporarily close all its malls March 18 due to concerns about the spread of the virus.

Gov. Holcomb says he spoke with David Simon, the CEO of Simon Property Group and one of 200 executives on a committee advising President Trump on reopening the U.S economy.

Holcomb says he sought input from Simon on how to reopen Indiana’s non-essential businesses, but Simon does not know when the executive order will be lifted.

"I have spoken to the Simon Mall Corporation, CEO, David Simon, but he does not know," Gov. Holcomb says. "He weighed in like we asked every other sector in our state." 

Gov. Holcomb has not said whether he will begin to lift Indiana’s stay-at-home order after it expires May 1. 

Holcomb says malls will be included in future economic guidance from the state.

For the latest news and resources about COVID-19, bookmark our Coronavirus In Indiana page here.

Bente Bouthier is a reporter and show producer with WFIU and WTIU News. She graduated from Indiana University in 2019, where she studied journalism, public affairs, and French.