As concerns grow over the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, many area institutions are taking steps to help combat a potential epidemic. We’re keeping track of cancelations, postponed events and city updates.
Last updated: 1:30pm on Friday, March 13
Michigan, at a glance
135 people have been approved for testing
12 people have tested positive for COVID-19
120 people have tested negative for COVID-19
2 people in Washtenaw County have tested positive for COVID-19
16 people in Washtenaw County have tested negative for COVID-19
26 test results are pending
554 people have been referred for assessment and/or monitoring
172 of those referrals are under active monitoring
On Friday, March 13, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order banning gatherings of more than 250 people through April 5. The order also instructed all elementary school and secondary school buildings to close through April 5.
For more information, visit michigan.gov/coronavirus.
City of Ann Arbor taking preventative measures
On Thursday, March 12, the City of Ann Arbor announced the following actions, beginning Friday, March 13 through Sunday, April 5:
- All permitted events expecting 50 or more people will be canceled. Any event with 50 or fewer people will only be permitted if proper social distancing procedures are addressed.
- All parks facilities will be closed and facility recreation events will be canceled. Parks themselves will remain open for general use. Beginning on Saturday, March 14, the Farmers Market will close.
- Some Board and Commission meetings will be canceled, so please check the city’s meeting calendar for the most up-to-date information.
- City Council and Planning Commission meetings will take place as scheduled, however, we do encourage the public to take advantage of watching the live-streamed meetings or utilize ecomment for agenda items of interest.
- To pay parking tickets, water bills, property taxes, apply for permits as well as other customer service options, residents and visitors are encouraged to take advantage of online services by visiting www.a2gov.org/services.
“Science tells us that we need decisive action to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” said City of Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor. “It’s important we all take steps to protect our community and follow state recommendations such as, limiting non-essential work travel, encouraging employees to telework when feasible and following social distancing measures. By working together, we can slow the spread of illness.”
For the latest COVID-19 health information, please visit www.washtenaw.org/COVID19
Temporarily-closed venues and programs
Founders Brewing Co. has temporarily closed its taprooms through April 5.
City of Ann Arbor Larcom City Hall will be closed to the public through April 5. For more info, see here.
The Michigan and State Theaters will remain open, but the organization is taking a variety of measures. Through the end of March, ticket refunds are available for those who feel sick or are taking care of someone who is sick. For more information and updates, visit here.
The Big Ten Conference has canceled the remainder of the winter and spring sports seasons due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. For more info, visit here.
The Ark has canceled all events through April 1. Theark.org
The Kerrytown Concert House has canceled all events through the end of March. Kerrytownconcerthouse.com
The Ann Arbor District Library has closed all locations until further notice. For more information, visit here.
The Ypsilanti District Library has closed all locations, with a preliminary plan to reopen on April 6. For more info, visit here.
Ann Arbor Public Schools has canceled all after-school activities through the end of the week.
WonderFool Productions has canceled its annual FOOLMoon and FestiFOOLs events, including the related workshops at the Ann Arbor Arts Center and the Ann Arbor District Library. wonderfoolproductions.org
The University of Michigan Museum of Art has canceled all programs and events through April 21. UMMA’s Galleries, Shop, and Cafe remain open, and hours for these functions can be found here.
The University of Michigan has canceled all events and events organized by others on campuses that would convene 100 people through April 21. For more information, visit umich.edu/announcements.
The University Musical Society (UMS) has canceled almost all remaining events in the 2019-20 season. For more info, visit here.
The Detroit Institute of Arts has suspended operations until April 13, including daily tours, school field trips and drop-in art-making.
The Henry Ford will close all public venues. They will re-evaluate this decision on Wednesday, March 18.
Postponed area events
The 58th Ann Arbor Film Festival (AAFF) has suspended all in-person events, initially scheduled for March 24-29. Instead, AAFF will be screened online, with details TBA. aafilmfest.org
The Ann Arbor Marathon, initially scheduled for March 22, has been canceled.
The Ann Arbor Women’s March, initially scheduled for March 22, has been canceled.
The Take Back the Night, initially scheduled for April 2, has been canceled.
The Michigan Climate Action Network and Ann Arbor Climate Citizen’s Lobby has canceled The Michigan Climate Action Summit and the “Rise Up for the Environment” lecture, initially scheduled for Thursday, March 12, as well as the lobby’s monthly meeting, initially scheduled for Saturday, March 14. Rescheduling is a possibility.
The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra has postponed the following events: Best of Broadway concerts (March 14 & 15), West Side Story (March 21) and the Music for Trombones chamber concert (March 23). New dates TBA. a2so.com
Ann Arbor’s Hash Bash and The Monroe Street Fair, initially scheduled for April 4, has been postponed to the fall. New date TBA.
The Michigan Fashion Media Summit, initially scheduled for March 20, has been canceled.
Kickshaw Theatre has canceled all remaining performances of Lungs. kickshawtheatre.org/kickshaw-blog
Theatre NOVA has postponed its production of Arabic to English by David Wells, initially scheduled to open on March 20. The play will now run from August 7 through August 30.
The Ann Arbor Civic Theatre has canceled the performances of Jeeves Intervenes, initially scheduled for March 12-15.
Area Area colleges and schools
Classes at all University of Michigan campuses are canceled Thursday and Friday, March 12-13. Beginning Monday, March 16, classes will resume online through April 21. For more information, visit umich.edu/announcements.
Every Michigan public university has gone to online classes.
Ann Arbor Public Schools and Saline Area Schools have canceled classes through April 6.
Dexter Community Schools has canceled classes through April 7. On March 17, the district will provide an update on how to address challenges for families.
For more information about the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), please see the following resources.
World Health Organization, Coronavirus
CDC Information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
MDHHS Interim Recommendations for COVID-19
Washtenaw County Health Department
