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More coronavirus cases in Plano, as well as other updates and what’s closed or canceled

Plano has had 70 cases of COVID-19 as of Wednesday evening, according to figures from the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Four of the cases are Plano police officers who are reportedly doing well at home. In all, there were 4,082 COVID-19 cases statewide and 184 in Collin County.

Here’s additional information about the impact the coronavirus has had on Plano.

City/county updates

The Plano City Council was scheduled to meet Wednesday night but instead decided that Gov. Greg Abbott’s Tuesday order addressed city leaders’ concerns about what businesses are deemed essential. The state is following the Department of Homeland Security’s guidelines on essential businesses.

“All services should be provided through remote telework from home unless they are essential services,” the governor’s order states.

Abbott also extended the temporary closure of gyms, bars and restaurant dining areas and said Texans must practice “social distancing” through April 30. He stopped short of calling the move a stay-at-home order.

“This is a standard that is based on essential services and essential activities,” he said.

Plano previously noted that “extraordinary changes” are required in city operations to help contain the spread of the coronavirus in the community.

The city’s COVID-19 hotline may be reached at 972-941-5922, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Messages left after regular hours will be returned the next day.

The city has also activated its emergency operations center, which is open during regular business hours.

All parks and recreation facilities and libraries in the city are closed through April 27. City facilities will be on the same timeline as other private businesses in the city that have been closed or had service modifications, according to city officials.

Additional details are available on the city’s website.

The first Collin County death was a 64-year-old Plano man who died at a hospital. He had an underlying medical condition and had been infected with COVID-19, officials said.

City closures and news

• The city council had restricted restaurant service and ordered bars, lounges, taverns, theaters, gyms and private clubs to close until April 27 before Abbott’s order doing so until April 30. Restaurants can still offer takeout, delivery, drive-in or drive-thru services, but not dine-in.

• All City Board and Commission meetings, with the exception of Plano City Council, Planning and Zoning and any other meeting required by law, are postponed until their regular May meeting.

• All youth sports leagues are suspended for practice and play. The Plano Sports Authority has also suspended league play.

• Citizens are encouraged to watch city council meetings online and submit comments of public interest or comments on agenda items electronically to the city secretary, Lisa Henderson, at lisah@plano.gov.

• All meetings at the Plano Event Center, special events and facility rentals will be offered refunds of deposit and/or fees for events.

Preventive posters: City staffers are delivering posters across the city with smart health tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to thwart the spread of coronavirus and other respiratory diseases. Organizations and businesses are asked to display the posters in areas where the public and their employees gather.

“Our hope is we can deliver a shared, consistent message to help protect our friends, neighbors and co-workers,” according to a statement by the city.

The posters are intended to help schools, senior living facilities, the Chamber of Commerce, the faith-based community, other city partners and residents. Downloadable copies of the posters are also available and may be printed and displayed as needed.

Additionally, the city has prepared a video about COVID-19 and frequently asked questions. Information is also available on the Inside Plano Podcast.

Event cancellations and postponements

Here are some canceled or postponed Plano events that may have been on your calendar, and here’s a list of events across Dallas-Fort Worth.

Plano Symphony Orchestra: The orchestra has canceled all March and April performances, citing the “the health, safety, and well-being of every member of the Plano Symphony Orchestra family” and the North Texas community. Ticket holders can visit their website for information about donating their tickets or other options. If they don’t hear from you by April 17, they will consider the tickets donated.

Plano ISD

The Plano school district had closed schools through May 1 before Abbott’s order closing them through May 4 and is providing an online learning program for students.

“We wish to express gratitude to our entire community of families, staff, volunteers and community partners for your patience and support during these uncertain times,” the district said in an email. “Plano ISD will remain flexible as we roll out our long-term plan for instructional continuity, and as we continue to navigate the many details of this unprecedented situation.”

On Sunday, the school board held an executive session and voted to approve paying all regular employees during any closures through the end of the 2020-21 school year, Community Impact News reported.

Other updates will be released across the district’s communication channels and on its website as soon as they are available.

During the closure, students will be able to access digital tools the district provides that support in-class learning. They are available through the PISD Webdesk and the student digital backpack, the district’s website states.

If it is necessary to extend the closure, the district will provide more information on how technology will be used for student learning. Officials are asking families to fill out an online survey to determine students’ ability to access technology outside of school.

“We fully recognize the irony of using an online survey to gather this information,” the city’s website states, adding that “offline” methods will also be used to collect data. You can access the survey at pisd.edu/techaccess.

“Meanwhile, care for yourself, your family and those around you, and continue to adhere to the preventative measures as recommended by public health officials, such as limiting interaction and practicing social distancing,” Superintendent Sara Bonser wrote in a prepared statement.

School meals: The breakfast and lunch program will change to 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. During this pickup time, families will be able to get lunch, along with breakfast for the following day. Adjustments to this schedule may be made as needed.

This program serves students attending any Plano ISD school. Families can pick up meals curbside in the carpool lanes* at the campuses listed below (unless otherwise noted). Access to enter the buildings will not be available.

Armstrong Middle School *(pickup at this location is the bus lane at the rear of the building)3805 Timberline Drive.

Barron Elementary School, 3300 Avenue P.

Daffron Elementary School, 3900 Preston5510 Channel Isle Drive.

IB World School at Huffman Elementary, 5510 Channel Isle Drive.

Meadows Elementary School, 2800 18th Street.

Rose Haggar Elementary School, 17820 Campbell Road, Dallas, TX 75252

Sigler Elementary School, 1400 Janwood Drive.

Thomas Elementary School, 1800 Montana Trail.

Other measures: The district is taking additional steps to clean schools. During spring break, all campuses and school buses were deep cleaned with a hospital-grade disinfectant. Plano ISD has also used auto-scrubber machines to clean and sanitize major hallways and common areas of campuses.

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