Irving adds another death as restaurants let in more customers, bars open, plus other coronavirus updates

Dallas County reported that as of Friday cases of the novel coronavirus have risen to 872, an increase of 52 cases since Tuesday. Behind Dallas itself, Irving has the most cases of any city in the county. So far 14 Irving residents have died from the virus in recent weeks.

The spike in cases and deaths came before Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday that day cares can reopen immediately while bars and more can reopen under new phase 2 regulations.

Read below for more information about the impact the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has had on Irving.

Coronavirus cases

Dallas County’s case counts for Irving are updated Tuesday and Friday.

City/county updates

Here are some of the guidelines Abbott has issued, including Monday’s phase 2 announcement:

• Restaurants can expand to 50% capacity.
• Bars can reopen at 25% capacity, along with bingo parlors, bowling alleys, rodeos and zoos.
• Gyms can open up at 25% capacity while customers must wear gloves and maintain six feet of distance. Showers and locker rooms at gyms must remain closed.
• Salons, barbershops, nail salons and tanning salons are allowed to reopen while following safety guidelines.
• Nonessential manufacturers may also resume production if they keep occupancy at 25% and keep their workers 6 feet apart.
• Office buildings may open up at 25% capacity or five or less workers, whichever is greater.
• 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.
• By May 31, youth sports and overnight camps can resume, along with professional sports (without fans).
• By June, summer school can resume.
• Businesses can decide not to open.

In cautioning residents to continue to stay home whenever possible, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins referred to a color-coded chart he unveiled last week that outlines four risk zones for the county: red, orange, yellow and green. The chart is meant to give residents guidance on how, and when, they can participate in normal daily activities.

Dallas County has two drive-through testing centers at American Airlines Center in Dallas and the Ellis Davis Field House in the Red Bird area. There are also additional testing sites coming to select Walmarts in Dallas County.

Irving itself will also now have a drive-through testing center, at the Walgreens at 1330 N. Belt Line Rd. Appointments are required.

Irving’s declaration of local disaster was extended Wednesday to June 4; it was first made by proclamation of Irving Mayor Richard Stopfer on March 12.

City and Business Reopenings

• Some restaurants are reopening for dine-in service while others will remain closed or stay carry-out only. Contact the restaurant for details on their offerings.

• Some businesses and stores are reopening under new guidelines; see breakdown of Abbott’s phase 1 and 2 regulations in bullet list above.
• The Irving Golf Club is open.
• The Hunter Ferrell Landfill is open to public access.
• Irving Public Libraries: Drive-thru window service is available at the South Irving Library, 601 Schulze Dr., and Valley Ranch Library, 401 Cimarron Trail. The West Irving Library, 4444 W. Rochelle Road, is providing curbside delivery service. The hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and closed Sunday. The East Library and Learning Center will remain closed. Patrons may return books through library book returns.
• Irving City Hall reopens Monday. All public business will be conducted in the west side of the first floor lobby of City Hall adjacent to the City Council Chambers. Several city departments will be available to assist visitors with various needs, including inspections, permitting, code enforcement and water utilities. Upon entering City Hall, Irving Fire Department medical personnel will screen all visitors as a safety precaution.

City and Business Closures

• Arenas, stadiums, event centers, meeting halls, conference centers, large cafeterias are closed.
• Bars, tattoo and massage parlors, and amusement arcades remain closed.
• The Texas Lottery Live free concert series at the Toyota Music Factory is canceled until further notice.
• Events at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory are canceled or postponed until further notice.
• All city museums are closed.
• The Irving Arts Center is closed.
• All museum and Arts Center programs and events are canceled through May 15.
• Heritage Senior Center is closed, along with all of its associated activities/events.
• Mustang Park, Cimarron Park and Lively Pointe Youth Center recreation centers are closed.
• All City of Irving fitness facilities are closed.
• All Irving Fire Stations are closed to casual visitors.
• The Irving Police Department’s Records and Property Room sections are closed to the public.
• North Lake Natatorium and Heritage Aquatic Center are closed. All related events, open swims, lessons and practices are canceled.
• The Lively Park Skate Park is closed.
• All athletic fields for practices, league play and tournaments are closed.
• The City of Irving will manage public access at the Irving Animal Care Campus (IACC), 4140 Valley View Lane. Managed access will remain in effect until further notice. All volunteer and community service activities are suspended.
• The Irving Dog Park is closed.

Education

• Irving ISD students will continue distance learning through the end of this academic year in May. Parents may access their child’s daily learning schedule and assignments — as well as information on free lunches and technology device reservations at www.irvingisd.net/learningplans. The district has set up a coronavirus web page regularly updated with developments.
• The Highlands School has moved to e-learning.
• The Islamic School of Irving has extended online learning through the end of the school year.
• Holy Family Catholic Academy is doing online classes.
• North Lake College, part of the Dallas County Community College District, has begun online classes for the remainder of the semester. It has also postponed its commencement ceremony, but says that the conferring of degrees and certificates won’t be affected.
• The University of Dallas has put all classes online for the remainder of the spring semester. Commencement has been postponed until October but the conferring of degrees won’t be impacted. UD has also established a fund to help students affected by the ongoing crisis.

Places of worship

Gov. Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have put forth guidelines for houses of worship to follow when reopening their doors to parishioners. Check with your church to see if and when they’re reopening their doors, and to ensure they follow social distancing and health guidelines.