McKinney coronavirus cases, plus what’s closed or canceled and other updates

The coronavirus pandemic is present in McKinney, with multiple residents testing positive for the virus and government officials acting to arrest its spread.

Collin County announced strict regulations Tuesday but did not require all businesses to close. McKinney Mayor George Fuller, however, said he’s evaluating additional measures he can put in place that will still comply with the county’s edict.

Here’s how the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is affecting life in McKinney.

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City/county updates

Collin County residents have been ordered to stay home except for essential activities. The order went into place Tuesday, March 24, and will last seven days unless the county’s Commissioners Court elects to renew it.

But all businesses in the county are allowed to stay open during the order. Officials said this decision was made to keep local economies functioning. This is a major difference from Dallas County’s shelter-in-place order, which has allowed only “essential businesses,” such as grocery stores and health care facilities, to remain open.

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‘All workers are essential’: Collin County orders residents to stay home, but businesses can remain open

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Fuller said that while he backed Collin County Judge Chris Hill, the county’s top official, he also wrote on Facebook that “further measures that MUST be taken to actually ensure the desired outcomes, specifically as they relate to health, safety and wellbeing of our residents. I, as others, received the final draft of the County Order this morning and I am working through it with staff and our legal team to determine our next available steps as a City.”

Collin County had 45 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday, including 10 in McKinney.

Closings across the city

Collin County is under orders from Gov. Greg Abbott to close restaurant dining rooms, bars, gyms, and massage parlors until at least April 3. Restaurants are still allowed to serve to-go orders and send food for delivery.

• All City of McKinney buildings will be closed as of March 23 except for the lobbies of City Hall and the police department.
• Pilots and passengers of arriving or departing aircraft or customers who have a set appointment with airport staff are the only ones allowed at the McKinney Air Center.
• The McKinney library is closed but has curbside pick-up.
• The McKinney Municipal Court is postponing all dockets.
• City Council meetings are continuing, but other government committee and advisory board meetings are postponed.
• More information can be found at the city’s coronavirus website.

Education

McKinney ISD has suspended in-person classes until at least April 3, with the district planning to use the week of March 30-April 3 to see if there is a need to extend the suspension.

• A digital learning program will launch March 30.
• The district also has launched a website with resources students can utilize to enrich their education while classes are not taking place.
• Grab-and-go meals are available at six elementary schools: Vega, Malvern, Webb, Finch, McNeil and Slaughter. There is only one pickup time, between 11:30 a.m. and noon, but parents can pick up lunch and breakfast for the next day for each student.
• More information is available at the district’s coronavirus website.