March 12 Coronavirus update: What’s open, what’s closed/canceled
Compiled from various sources by Jennifer Cabrera
UF sports
The NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships have been canceled.
The SEC has canceled regular season competition for teams in all sports on SEC campuses, as well SEC championship events, starting today and continuing until at least Monday, March 30. This includes the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament, which was in progress.
Specifically, the gymnastics meet Friday night and this weekend’s baseball games have been canceled, but all athletic events will be canceled at least until the end of the month.
The University of Florida announced yesterday that it will move classes online by Monday, March 16, and classes will remain online until at least March 30. Student athletes and other students that remain on campus will continue to have access to Gator Dining, health facilities. and other support services. The campus will remain open and fully operational.
The Gators Ticket Office will automatically refund all ticket purchases for events scheduled to take place from March 13 to March 30. Refunds will be processed back to the form of payment used for the original purchase. All purchasers will be contacted once the refund is processed.
The Florida athletic teams will be permitted to hold practices and team activities but will not travel or participate in competition.
The football team, which begins spring practice on March 16, will close practices to the public.
In addition, Dan Mullen’s public speaking tour in March will not be held at this time.
NHRA Gatornationals
In consideration of the ever-evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and in accordance with the recommendation of the Florida governor, NHRA officials are postponing a portion of the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. The sportsman categories contested on Thursday will complete competition this weekend without ticketed spectators. Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Mod, Factory Stock Showdown, Top Fuel Harley, Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will compete at a later date to be determined.
Current tickets will be honored at the rescheduled event, or ticketholders may opt to use their tickets as a credit toward the 2021 Gatornationals. NHRA will determine next steps for moving forward as additional information becomes available.
Santa Fe College
Santa Fe College sent emails to all students, affirming that they are still open: “We understand that the State University System Board of Governors directed Florida’s 12 State Universities to move to on-line instruction, and many of you are wondering why Santa Fe College has not done the same thing. Simply put, Santa Fe College is not a part of the State University System. We are a community college that is one of 28 institutions in the Florida College System. As such, we are following the most current recommendations from the Florida College System to continue our in-person operations while taking measures to maintain the health of our students and employees. Even so, the entire college is working to ensure that we are prepared to move instruction and services online, should the situation warrant it in the future.”
Santa Fe is also canceling the Spring Arts Festival: “We are hopeful that our community and the world get past this pandemic and look forward to next year’s Spring Arts Festival, April 10 and 11, 2021.”
Alachua County Public Schools
Schools remain open: ACPS says they’re emphasizing hand washing and cleaning, and they’re sending home anyone who is ill.
Field trips: Based on guidance from both the state and local Departments of Health, the district is not canceling local and in-state field trips, although some state competitions and other events have been canceled or postponed. However, they are canceling all out-of-state plane travel, which has been recommended by the DOE.
Mass gatherings: At the present time, school festivals, carnivals, and other such events at which fewer than 1,000 will be gathered can be held.
City of Gainesville
The City of Gainesville has opted to postpone next month’s Longest Table event and JestFest. In addition, other events including CommUNITY Fest and IndiaFest, previously scheduled for March 14 at our city parks, have been canceled by the promoters. No new city events will be scheduled at this time, and all tours of city facilities are suspended for the next 30 days. The schedule of city meetings is being evaluated as the situation evolves.
Alachua County Library District
Libraries remain open, but all library programs are suspended starting Saturday, March 14, through Sunday, April 5.
Other UF news
Counseling and Wellness Center: Beginning Monday March 16th, students may access services at the Counseling & Wellness Center by calling (352) 392-1575.
Students may also schedule an appointment or speak with a counselor if experiencing an urgent concern by calling the CWC.
Andrew Yang appearance: ACCENT Speakers Bureau has postponed Andrew Yang’s appearance.
Libraries: All Smathers Libraries will remain open and fully operational during their regular hours.
Dance Marathon: Dance Marathon at UF has been canceled.
Statewide case count
There are now 27 cases of Florida residents who are diagnosed in Florida. The Alachua County case (traveler from Georgia) and a St. Johns County case (traveler from New York to attend Bike Week; it has been determined that he was isolated prior to attending the event) are in addition to the 27 cases.
Please visit the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage for information and guidance regarding COVID-19 in Florida.
For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-(866) 779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours a day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
Publix
Publix has announced that “will continue to focus on keeping our associates healthy—and our stores open and stocked—to serve and support all our communities.”