Coronavirus cancellations in Waco

  • Posted By: Chris
  • April 3, 2020 @ 1:21 am
  • Local News
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New orders (March 31)

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered schools closed statewide until at least until May 4. Abbott also told Texans to stay at home through April unless they are taking part in essential services and activities, announcing a heightened statewide standard to stem the spread of the new coronavirus, according to The Texas Tribune.

Local Waco and McLennan County emergency orders, described below, have also been extended through April 21. May’s city of Waco and Waco ISD elections have also been postponed; the rescheduled date will either be July 14 or Nov. 3.

Shelter in place, emergency declarations

Waco Mayor Kyle Deaver and McLennan County commissioners on March 23 ordered local residents to shelter in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning they must stay home except for activities defined as essential.

The city and county emergency orders have been extended to April 21. May’s city of Waco and Waco ISD elections have also been postponed.

The orders ban all social gatherings anywhere in the county (including all cities), prohibit nonessential travel and limit activities to tasks necessary to health and safety, including shopping for necessities, seeking medical care or exercising outdoors.

Residents may only leave home for three reasons: To meet essential needs such as food, health, and outdoor exercise; to work in essential services; and to participate in government activity.

Businesses are shut down except for those deemed essential, including those connected to infrastructure, health care, food, public services and communications. Restaurants may provide to-go and delivery service only.

Essential businesses include those involving health care, child care and infrastructure, as well as grocery stores, liquor stores, farms, news media, laundry, gas stations, automobile repair, mailing and shipping, banks and financial services, professional services such as legal and accounting, hardware and construction supply businesses, and plumbing and electrician services. Restaurants may remain open but only with delivery and takeout; among businesses closed will be hair and nail salons.

As of Thursday, the Texas Department of State Health Services had reported 4,669 cases and 70 deaths across 143 Texas counties. As of Thursday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had reported 213,144 cases and 4,513 deaths. There have been 49 cases reported in McLennan County and one death, according to the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District.

Closures, changes and cancellations

Efforts to limit exposure to the coronavirus have led to the cancellation or postponement of operations for many institutions in the Waco area:

  • The Cobbs Recycling Center is is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday for residential users only. The landfill, solid waste operations center and curbside pickup services will continue.
  • Both Ascension Providence and Baylor Scott & White have implemented no-visitor policies at their hospitals. Exceptions are made for laboring and postpartum patients, those with disabilities or impairments or who are elderly, the neonatal ICU and pediatric units, patients undergoing surgery or other procedures, and patients under end-of-life care. Only one caregiver may accompany those patients.
  • Richland Mall is closed until further notice.
  • McLennan County’s courts have postponed all jury trials until May 11. Other hearings at the courthouse have been reduced; some are by videoconference.
  • McLennan County Tax Office locations are closed to the public until further notice. Services are available by drop box, mail and online. Property taxes will continue to incur penalties and interest if not paid on time.
  • Gov. Greg Abbott has waived certain vehicle registration, titling and parking placard regulations in Texas under his disaster declaration.
  • All H-E-B stores have shortened their hours to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until further notice. > Read more
  • All Brookshire’s stores have shortened their hours to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. until further notice. > Read more
  • All Walmart stores have shortened their hours to 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. until further notice. > Read more
  • Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center will screen hospital visitors with a questionnaire and limit two visitors per patient. > Read more
  • Baylor University is extending online instruction for all classes from March 23 to the end of the semester. Commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 15-16 have been postponed until August.  > Read more
  • McLennan Community College, Texas Tech at Waco and Tarleton State University at Waco are extending spring break for a week. MCC and Texas Tech at Waco classes will resume March 23 in online-only format for the rest of the spring semester. Public events and other large gatherings this semester are canceled, but may be rescheduled.
  • Texas State Technical College has closed its campus and is extending spring break, with in-person classes planned to resume April 14. Online classes will continue as normal starting March 23. Other classes will begin online coursework March 30. The graduation ceremony has been canceled.
  • The Waco Downtown Farmers Market is limiting its hours, prepared food vendors and group activities. > Read more
  • Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered all schools closed statewide until at least until May 4.
  • Waco ISD, after extending spring break a week, will proceed with at-home instruction beginning March 23 after material are distributed to students. “No device or internet access is needed,” said a district spokesman. > Read more

Local attractions closed

  • Waco-McLennan County Library system
  • Cameron Park Zoo
  • Dr Pepper Museum (reopening TBA)
  • Lake Waco Dam trail
  • Lake Waco parks (boat ramps still open)
  • Lake Waco Wetlands
  • Restrooms at city parks
  • Martin Museum of Art (through June 2)
  • Mayborn Museum
  • Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum
  • Texas Sports Hall of Fame
  • Waco Mammoth National Monument
  • Waco Convention Center
  • Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau (incl. Tourist Information Center)
  • All Historic Waco Foundation houses
  • Community centers
  • Senior centers
  • YMCA of Central Texas

Events canceled

  • Live music and events in the city and county are effectively canceled through April 21 due emergency orders ordering residents to shelter in place and the closure of all restaurants and bars.
  • Baylor University and McLennan Community College have canceled all public events through the end of the semester.
  • Richland Mall has canceled its events, including its Easter Bunny photo program, until further notice.
  • Hewitt Public Library has canceled its Family Place parent-child workshops for the spring and postponed the March 21 Hop Into Hewitt Spring Event. All other programs, events, meetings and outreach activities also are on hold.
  • All activities scheduled at the Extraco Events Center through April 17 are canceled, including the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association State Championship, McLennan County Go Texan Fundraiser, Central Texas Comic Con, Texas Appaloosa Horse Show Bluebonnet Circuit, Waco Family Fun Fest and Paint the Future Scholarship Show.
  • All spring concerts at Common Grounds; some may be rescheduled.
  • The Backyard concerts and shows through April 21 are canceled; most others in April are rescheduled (see details below).
  • All Waco Hippodrome concerts and comedy shows through April may be postponed, details TBA.
  • The Ryan Thomas concert featuring Judah at the Waco Hippodrome, scheduled for April 2.
  • Bunny Brunch fundraiser for VOICE, scheduled for April 3.
  • The Woodway Wine Tour, scheduled for April 3, has been canceled.
  • The Corey Holcomb comedy show at the Waco Hippodrome, scheduled for April 3.
  • Jubilee Theatre’s “The Little Mermaid, Jr.,” scheduled for April 3-5, has been postponed; rescheduling TBD.
  • The Caritas Feast of Caring, scheduled for April 14, has been postponed; rescheduling TBD.
  • The Waco Symphony Orchestra’s April 16 concert featuring America.
  • The Art on Elm festival, scheduled for April 17-18.
  • Race One, benefiting Mission Waco Mission World, scheduled for April 25.
  • Chingo Bling comedy show at the Waco Hippodrome, scheduled for April 25.
  • The Robinson Area Lions Club veterans pancake breakfast, scheduled for April 25.
  • Comic Amy Barnes at Jubilee Theatre, scheduled for April 26, has been postponed; rescheduling TBD.
  • Waco Community Band concert, scheduled for April 28.
  • Heart of Texas Sertoma Club’s Kite Festival, scheduled for May 2, has been canceled.
  • The Texas High School Football Hall of Fame induction banquet, scheduled for May 2, has been postponed; details are TBD.
  • Central Texas Choral Society’s performances of Mendelssohn’s “Elijah,” scheduled for May 8-9.
  • Rootstock: A Texas Wine Festival, scheduled for May 23.
  • Bowen MusicFest, scheduled for June 6-8.
  • Baylor Theatre’s productions of “Enjoy” (March 26-29) and “Hay Fever” (April 28-May 3); will not be rescheduled.
  • McLennan Theatre’s productions of “Tinker of Tivoli” (April 2-4) and “Silent Sky” (April 23-26); may be rescheduled.
  • Waco Civic Theatre’s production of “Emma” (March 27-April 5) has been postponed; rescheduled dates are TBA. Auditions for “The Music Man” are being conducted via video.
  • Family Health Center Gala, scheduled for April 30, has been postponed; rescheduled date TBD.

Rescheduled events

  • Christian Youth Theater Waco’s production of “Peter Pan: A New Musical” has been rescheduled for April 23-26 at the Lee Lockwood Library and Museum.
  • The Waco Symphony Orchestra concert and Belles and Brass presentation has been postponed until May 8.
  • The Waco Jazz Orchestra concert at the Waco Hippodrome has been postponed to May 9. Tickets will be honored, but those wanting refunds can contact the Hippodrome at hippoboxoffice@gmail.com.
  • The Holly Tucker fundraising concert at the Lee Lockwood Library and Museum, has been postponed to May 29.
  • The 70s Classic Rock show with Vinyl Radio at the Waco Hippodrome has been postponed to June 4.
  • Ben and Noel Haggard’s concert at the Waco Hippodrome has been postponed to June 5.
  • YMCA’s LiveStrong Color Run 5K has been postponed to June 6.
  • William Clark Green’s concert at The Backyard has been postponed to June 20.
  • Aaron Watson’s concert at The Backyard has been postponed to June 26.
  • “The Living Coast” film with live accompaniment by Montopolis at the Waco Hippodrome has been postponed to June 21.
  • “Anomaly: The Magic of Robby Bennett” at the Waco Hippodrome has been postponed to July 9.
  • Kody West’s concert at The Backyard has been postponed to July 17.
  • Mike Ryan’s concert at The Backyard has been postponed to July 24.
  • Flatland Cavalry’s concert at The Backyard has been postponed to July 25.
  • Ray Wylie Hubbard’s concert at The Backyard has been postponed to Aug. 21.
  • The Art Center of Waco’s Table Toppers fundraiser has been postponed to Aug. 27.
  • Comic Steve Treviño’s show at the Waco Hippodrome has been postponed to Aug. 28.
  • “An Evening with C.S. Lewis” with David Payne at the Waco Hippodrome has been postponed to Sept. 16.
  • The Penny & Sparrow concert at Common Grounds has been postponed to Sept. 25.
  • The Silo District Marathon has been postponed to Oct. 3-4.
  • The Whiskey Myers street party event at The Backyard has been postponed to Oct. 9.
  • Steve Wariner’s concert at the Waco Hippodrome has been postponed to Nov. 12.
  • “Imagining Jules Bledsoe: A Concert” has been postponed until the fall; details are TBD.
  • The Boots, Buckles and Bling fundraiser to benefit Cenikor has been postponed to March 19, 2021.
  • Elk VFD annual Burgers and Bunnies fundraiser canceled, rescheduled for March 27, 2021.
  • Wild Game Dinner benefiting Meals on Wheels Waco has been rescheduled to Aug. 1.
  • Providence Gala, scheduled for May 30, has been rescheduled to Feb. 6, 2021.

Sports updates

  • The University Interscholastic League (UIL) has suspended all competitions and activities (practices, workouts, rehearsals, etc.) in athletics, music and academics through May 4.
  • The Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS), in which most Waco private schools participate, has suspended all athletics events and practices through May 4. The Texas Christian Athletic Fellowship (TCAF) has canceled sports for rest of year.
  • All Baylor University athletics events have been canceled through the end of the school year. Meetings and practices are suspended through May 31, per the Big 12.
  • McLennan Community College has canceled all athletic events through the end of the academic year, per the NJCAA, the governing body for junior college athletics.
  • All District 9 Little League organizations are suspended until April 21 due to local emergencey orders. Little League International has recommended the suspension of all activities until May 11.
  • The Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association State Meet, which was scheduled for March 20-21 at the Extraco Events Center, has been postponed. A rescheduled meet in Corpus Christi has been called off.
  • The Texas Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet, scheduled for March 28, has been postponed until the fall. Details are TBD.
  • The National College Equestrian Association National Championship, scheduled for April 15-18 at Extraco Events Center, has been canceled.
  • The Silo District Marathon has been postponed to Oct. 3-4.

Weekly meetings

  • Veterans One Stop has postponed its Wednesday meals until further notice. Veterans with scheduled appointments will be contacted individually to reschedule.
  • The Waco Downtown Farmers Market is limiting its hours and canceling communal activities. > Read more
  • Lunch with the Masters program for Wednesdays, canceled.
  • City of Waco Building Standards Commission meeting for April 1, canceled.
  • City of Waco Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Advisory Board meeting for April 4, canceled.
  • City/county Intergovernmental Relations Committee meeting for April 6, canceled.
  • City of Waco Youth Council meeting for April 6, canceled.
  • City of Waco Parks and Recreation Commission meeting for April 9, canceled.
  • City of Waco Historic Landmark Preservation Advisory Committee meeting for April 9, canceled.
  • City of Waco TIF Zone #1 Board meeting for April 9, canceled.
  • City of Waco Aviation Advisory Board meeting for April 9, canceled.
  • City of Waco Budget and Audit Committee meeting for April 14, canceled.
  • City of Waco Youth Council meeting for April 20, canceled.

Houses of worship

Most houses of worship in the Waco area have turned to video streaming to bring services into the homes of their congregations.   > Read more

These local churches have notified the Tribune-Herald about their online services during the current COVID-19 crisis. Call (254) 757-5835 or email jdingrando@wacotrib.com to include your house of worship here.

Church Under the Bridge will not meet for the next several weeks. A take-away lunch only for the homeless will be available Sunday morning at 601 Webster Ave. There will also be a table for communion and prayer.

— WACOTRIB

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