McKinney issues shelter-in-place order, plus coronavirus cases and what’s closed or canceled

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

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

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City/county updates

Collin County announced strict regulations Tuesday but did not require all businesses to close. McKinney Mayor George Fuller, however, on Wednesday announced a shelter-in-place order to go in place Thursday at 12:01 a.m. and until April 1 at 11:59 p.m.

The order is in line with Dallas County’s similar restrictions, allowing business like grocery stores and health care providers to stay open and permitting restaurants to serve diners via to-go orders and delivery.

“I am convinced that the risks of underreacting are so much greater than the risks of overreacting, and although we hope for the best, we must be prudent and plan for the worst,” Fuller said in a written statement released Wednesday. “It is going to take all of us, working together, to ensure that we put the health and safety of our community above all else, and I have no doubt that is what we will do.”

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Collin County had 53 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as Wednesday morning, including 11 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.