This is an ongoing, developing story and will be updated frequently.
Below is a list of precautionary closings that have been announced in the downtown Lexington area. This list will be updated frequently as more info becomes available. As always, check with the venue & organization to confirm the most up to the minute information.
This information has since been updated as of March 27, 2020. Click here for the updated information.
The Arboretum announced “Due to COVID-19, the Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center is TEMPORARILY CLOSED. All classes, programs and events in March and April have been cancelled or postponed. As of March 17, the grounds and outdoor restrooms (near the Kentucky Children’s Garden entrance) are open. The opening date for the Kentucky Children’s Garden 2020 season has been postponed until further information is available.” However, the Arboretum is a public garden, open daily from dawn to dusk, year round.
The Central Kentucky Home & Garden Show announced on their website, “The show scheduled for April 3-5, 2020 has been canceled as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. During this time, we urge all in the community to follow guidelines from local public health officials. The well being and safety of all attendees and exhibitors are our first priority in creating a dynamic marketplace. Be safe, and we look forward to seeing you at our 2021 Central Kentucky Home & Garden Show, April 9-11, at the Central Bank Center.”
DiverCity Festival has been rescheduled from its original date of April 18, 2020. The Festival will now be celebrated on August 29, 2020 at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza in downtown Lexington.
Fayette County Clerk Don Blevins announced in a release, “The Fayette County Clerk’s office will close to the public beginning Tuesday, March 17, and remain closed until further notice. Staff and office ceased operation on March 27 and will remain temporarily closed until April 13.
Fayette County Public Schools reported that schools will be closed beginning March 16 and will not reopen until April 6, 2020. The Governor announced the decision is “not in response to a specific public health threat in our schools, but is an action to implement social distancing statewide.” On Sunday, March 22, Superintendent Manny Caulk announced “All Fayette County Public Schools will remain closed to students until April 20, 2020.”
FCPS offices will be open to help respond to questions from March 16 through March 27, and will pause between March 30 and April 3 due to spring break. (Child Care Council of Kentucky is launching a website to help connect people with childcare openings.)
This information has since been updated as of March 26, 2020. Click here for the updated information.
FCPS has developed Bus Bites, a plan to provide breakfast and lunch for anyone 18-years-old or younger. Boxed meals will be available for children at a total of 115 bus stops and 18 school locations throughout the community. Breakfast will be served from 8-9 am and lunch will be served from 11 am-12:30 pm. On March 16, 2020, only lunch will be served. Twice a day service on March 17-20, 2020 and March 23-27, 2020. No service on March 30-April 3, schools were already scheduled to be closed for spring break. Check the FCPS site for more information and specific details.
Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts released a statement “In an effort to minimize social interaction in Kentucky’s busy courthouses and judicial centers during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Supreme Court of Kentucky has issued an order placing restrictions on dockets, jury trials and jury service from March 16-April 10. The amended order signed today reflects changes to the original order issued Thursday evening, March 12.”
Chief Justice Minton said “It’s important to note that courthouses and judicial centers will remain open and offer limited services. However, trials, hearings and motions will be postponed and rescheduled. Juror orientation will be canceled and existing jury panels may be extended. Attorneys are encouraged to use e-Filing for court documents.” For complete details, see how Kentucky Courts respond to COVID-19 updates.
Kenwick’s Neighborhood Association Facebook page includes a post from neighbors who’ve shared a google doc inviting neighbors at high risk for COVID-19 to fill out a form for errands or supplies needed. “There’s a whole team of folks working on connecting people.” Filed under “Mutual Aid.”
The KHSAA has announced the Boys’ Sweet 16 is postponed indefinitely and the Girls’ Sweet 16 basketball tournament, which had already begun, is postponed indefinitely effective with the conclusion of game five.
In a statement, KHSAA reported they will “try and seek options for rescheduling later in the spring if at all possible, but not until after we have received collaborative approval from our Governor’s office, the Commissioner of Public Health and the Kentucky Department of Education.”
As of March 24, Lexington Children’s Theater will be closed until further notice. They have had to cancel their upcoming performance of Ella Enchanted the Musical.
Lexington Comic Con, scheduled for Thursday, March 26 through Sunday, March 29 has been postponed until Thursday, May 14 through Sunday, May 17.
Lexington Humane Society has suspended their volunteer program in the all areas as of Tuesday, March 17.
Lexington Legends posted the following statement from Minor League Baseball on their Facebook page, “In light of current coronavirus outbreak, and after consultation with medical professionals and our partners at Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball will delay the start of the 2020 Championship Season. We will continue to monitor the developments and will announce additional information about the 2020 season at a later date.” Whitaker Bank Ballpark will also be closed to the public for the time being.
LexPark will convert several paid parking spaces into “Curbside Pick-Up ONLY” spaces. These spots will be marked by blue bags. Restaurants and merchants are encouraged to reach out to the LexPark customer service center at 859-231-7275 or at info@lexpark.org to request a nearby meter to be converted for this use. They are also allowing free parking during the outbreak.
Lexington Public Library reported, “In response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic, Lexington Public Library will close all library locations beginning at the close of business today, Friday, March 13 at 6 pm. The Library currently plans to reopen for daily operation on Monday, April 6.” According to the post on their Facebook page, “Please do not return library materials until we reopen. There will be no charges for overdue materials.”
As of Monday, March 30, the Lexington Public Library will remain closed until “officials deem it safe to reopen.”
Lexington area movie theaters including The Kentucky Theater closed to the public at the end of the day on Tuesday, March 17.
On the Table, scheduled for March 25, is a city-wide conversation where Lexingtonians can get to know each other better and discuss what is and is not working in our communities. This year, due to a recommendation from the Lexington-Fayette County Health Dept., “we are postponing the in-person conversations as a part of On the Table.” The survey process will instead begin online on March 25.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton recommended that all public events be canceled or postponed. The CDC recommends canceling or postponing events of 50 or more.
The SEC has released a statement for the cancellation of the remainder of the 2020 Men’s Basketball Tournament in Nashville. According to the SEC, the University of Kentucky would have been awarded the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, but March Madness was also canceled this year. The NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors have reported the cancellation of the Division I men’s and women’s 2020 basketball tournaments, as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships.
The Saint Patrick’s Parade and Festival, scheduled for Saturday March 14, is cancelled.
Thursday Night Live is postponed until Thursday, May 7, 2020. The series will run weekly through Thursday, October 8, 2020.
Retailers:
Adele store is closed, but offering a discount and free local delivery with purchases online.
Bella Rose is offering free shipping and a discount store-wide including gift cards on all online orders.
CD Central is still open from 11 am until 2 pm. Offering curbside pick-up on purchases. Their 25 year anniversary postponed to a later date.
John’s Run/Walk Shop is offering a discount to first responders (medical personnel, police, and fire fighters)
Wheeler Pharmacy is offering curbside pick-up and delivery effective March 19.
Universities:
Transylvania University Interim President John Williams announced “After extensive conversations with campus leadership, we have decided to move to remote instruction for the remainder of the academic year and provide May term instruction remotely only for seniors who require credits to graduate in May.” For more information, click here.
University of Kentucky has decided to make the remainder of the spring semester online only. UK President Capilouto released a statement “Instruction will move to online or other alternative learning formats, effective March 23 through the end of the Spring 2020 semester (previously, we had announced using such formats through April 3). Students should make plans to return to their residences away from campus to continue their studies remotely through the end of the semester. We are postponing Commencement to ensure the safety of our students and their families.”
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