Arlington coronavirus cases exceed 600, plus what’s closed or canceled and other updates

The coronavirus has had ripple effects on the country, including Arlington.

Dozens of events have been canceled, officials recommend limiting travel, group gatherings and educational institutions have suspended classes in wake of COVID-19.

Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday that Texas malls, stores, restaurants, movie theaters and restaurants may open with 25% occupancy Friday, the day after his stay at home order expires.

Other guidelines Abbott issued April 27:

• Barbershops, hair salons and gyms must wait until mid-May at the earliest to reopen.
• Outdoor sports such as golf and tennis may resume with no more than four participants in a match, and they must observe social distancing guidelines.
• Museums and public libraries can reopen, though a city doesn’t have to let them.
• Businesses can decide not to open.

Here’s more information on how the coronavirus has affected Arlington.

City/county updates

Arlington opened a COVID-19 drive-through testing center on April 23 at Parks Mall. It offers free tests to Tarrant County residents by appointment only.

On April 17, Abbott ordered schools to remain closed for the school year. He also allowed retailers who previously were considered nonessential to begin providing pickup service or home delivery for customers.

Arlington extended its disaster declaration to April 30 and clarified the ordinance in a special City Council meeting last week.

Arlington had ordered residents to stay home and canceled all gatherings in the city, as well as postponed the May municipal election, in an amendment its local disaster declaration. The declaration closed businesses that aren’t deemed essential but said they could operate on a “work from home” basis or to perform basic business maintenance. Anyone who violates the ordinance that expires April 30 could be fined up to $500 a day or taken to court.

Arlington’s parks and recreation department closed all of the city’s playgrounds and workout stations over concerns about social distancing.

Coronavirus cases

UT-Arlington announced that a student contracted COVID-19, but no other details were released. The Tarrant County Health Department reached out to people who were in contact with the infected student and placed them in self-isolation.

Pat James, who lived in Arlington, was hospitalized with double pneumonia at Arlington Memorial Hospital. His death was the first in the region to be linked to the coronavirus and was likely community transmitted.

Four additional cases were found at the Arlington retirement home where he resided.

Education

Arlington ISD began graded online classes and implemented a pass/fail grading system. The District also announced that one of its food services employees contracted COVID-19, leading to the closure of a meal distribution center.

Arlington ISD’s 78 schools and campuses are closed indefinitely.

All ISD events, including athletics, fine arts activities, clubs and organizations and all other gatherings will be canceled, according to the statement. Essential administration personnel will continue to work, with plans to work remotely as much as possible.

Arlington ISD is now operating its food distribution centers twice a week at 27 locations.

The district has established a student counseling services hotline. Students can call (682) 867-9416 to be connected with school counselors to discuss stress, anxiety or other issues. It will be open for calls Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Parents can call (682) 867-9417 to be connected with district staff members who will assist them in navigating resources related to food, clothing, shelter and transportation.

Mansfield ISD has also extended its spring break and is providing meal plans for students. See details here.

The University of Texas at Arlington is transitioning all classes to online instruction only to the end of the semester. All campus tours, events, and activities are canceled for the rest of the semester, including its graduation ceremonies. Campus resident hall students are required to return to their permanent residences unless they receive exceptions.

Tarrant County College has moved its classes to online instruction only, including its Southeast Campus in Arlington.

Arlington Baptist University has moved classes online as well.

What is opened and closed

• Arlington libraries are now offering curbside pickup and online book reservations.
• All recreation centers operated by the Arlington Parks and Recreation are closed. But Arlington Tennis Center and Tennis courts at Arlington parks have reopened.
• Special events, rentals and club sports are also canceled.
• Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington has closed.
• Tarrant County jury trials are canceled until April 20.
• Arlington Animal Services has made several adjustments that will reduce field operations to emergency calls only and require pet adoptions to be scheduled by phone.
• Arlington Music Hall has postponed and rescheduled many of its shows. View its website for details.
• Arlington Museum of Art will be closed to the public throughout the schedule of its current exhibit (art from AISD schools), potentially ending on April 15.
• All MLB events, including the Texas Rangers home opener, have been delayed. XFL has ended its first season since 2000. The Mexican National Team will not return to AT&T Stadium for its U.S. tour.
• Texas Live has canceled or postponed all festivals and concerts. It has canceled several events as well.
• Dozens of churches and other places of worship have canceled in-person meetings and many live stream services. Check-in with your place of worship to see what they have planned.
• Many other events in the city have been canceled.

Resources and services

• Tarrant County coronavirus Information Hotline: 817-248-6299 (business hours only).
• 2-1-1 Texas, a program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, helps connects Texans to services such as food, health services and housing.
• The city of Arlington has a coronavirus microsite.
• Charter Communications is offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with students in kindergarten through 12th grade and college.
• The City of Arlington Water Utilities department has temporarily halted all disconnections of water service.
• Atmos Energy has temporarily suspended natural gas disconnections to assist with the difficulties that come with the coronavirus outbreak.

To avoid contracting COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water aren’t available.

The CDC also recommends that you avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands and avoid being in close contact with those who are sick.