A Parent’s Guide to COVID-19 {Coronavirus} in Dallas

March 13, 2020

Updated 3.23.2020 @ 8:50 PM

Over the last few weeks, the news about COVID-19 {Coronavirus} has been coming hard and fast. As parents, we have to quickly sort fact from fiction to make the best decisions for our family and keep our loved ones’ protected. But parenthood doesn’t stop — even in this time of uncertainty.

Working Parents :: Check Out This Post For Your Parenting Options!

Dallas Moms is providing this resource as a fact-based location to find out all you need to know about parenting in the Dallas Metroplex during this chaotic time.

:: STATE & CITY MANDATES :: SCHOOL DISTRICT CHANGES :: PRIVATE SCHOOL CHANGES :: BUSINESS CLOSURES, CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS :: HELPFUL RESOURCES :: STAYING HEALTHY

STATE & CITY MANDATES

State of Texas: (As of 3/23/2020) The following orders have been issued by Governor Abbott:

Order No. 1: In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, every person in Texas shall avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.
Order No. 2: In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, people shall avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts, or visiting gyms or massage parlors; provided, however, that the use of drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options is allowed and highly encouraged throughout the limited duration of this executive order.
Order No. 3: In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, people shall not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.
Order No. 4: In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, schools shall temporarily close.

These orders will be effective on a statewide basis starting at 11:59 PM on March 20, 2020 and will end at 11:59 PM on April 3, 2020, subject to extension thereafter based on the status of COVID-19 in Texas and the recommendations of the CDC.

Dallas County: (as of March 23, 2020) Stay Home Stay Safe Amended Order

Effective as of 11:59 p.m. on March 23, 2020, and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on April 3, 2020:

Order No. 1: All individuals currently living within Dallas County are ordered to shelter at their place of residence. For the purposes of this Order, residences include hotels, motels, shared rentals, and similar facilities. To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must at all times as reasonably as possible maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person when they are outside their residence. All persons may leave their residences only for Essential Activities, or to provide or perform Essential Governmental Functions, or to operate Essential Businesses, all as defined in Section 2.
Order No. 2: All businesses operating within Dallas County, except Essential Businesses as defined in below in Section 2, are required to cease all activities at facilities located within the County. For clarity, businesses may continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors performing activities at their own residences (i.e. working from home). To the greatest extent possible, all Essential Businesses shall comply with the Social Distancing Guidelines attached, including maintaining six foot social distancing for both employees and the general public.
Order No. 3: All public or private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit are prohibited, except as otherwise provided herein. Nothing in this Order prohibits the gathering of members of a household or living unit.
Order No. 4: Restaurants with or without drive-in or drive-through services and microbreweries, micro-distilleries, or wineries may only provide take out, delivery, or drive-through services as allowed by law.
Order No. 5: Religious and worship services may only be provided by video and teleconference. Religious institutions must limit in-person staff to ten (10) people or less when preparing for or conducting video or teleconference services, and all individuals must follow the Social Distancing Guidelines including the six foot social distancing.
Order No. 6: All elective medical, surgical, and dental procedures are prohibited anywhere in Dallas County. Hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, dental offices, and other medical facilities are directed to identify procedures that are deemed “elective” by assessing which procedures can be postponed or cancelled based on patient risk considering the emergency need for redirection of resources to COVID-19 response.

City of Richardson: (as of March 24) Disaster Declaration Order

City of Sachse: (as of March 22, 2020) Shelter in Place Order

SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS & CHANGES

>> Spring Break Plans Canceled? Here’s a New Plan for Your Family! <<

Dallas ISD – Dallas ISD announced that all DISD schools will be closed indefinitely. This includes all district events and activities, including UIL events, athletics, field trips, after-school programs and other campus activities. Check the district’s COVID-19 website, www.dallasisd.org/COVID19, for updates and details on family impact, Child Nutrition Services, and at-home learning.

**Starting March 23, Dallas ISD will provide students breakfast & lunch between 10am-1pm.

Plano ISD – Plano ISD has announced all public schools are closed through April 3rd and then will be re-evaluated. E-Learning begins on March 23, 2020.

Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD – Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD has announced schools will be closed until April 3, 2020. All campus events, field trips, student trips and UIL practices and competitions are canceled until further notice.

** CFBISD will provide free Grab and Go meals for any CFBISD student, Monday-Thursday, through April 3, between 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Cedar Hill ISD – Cedar Hill ISD has announced they will be closed indefinitely.

** The district is also offering free breakfast and lunch to anyone under the age of 18 living in Cedar Hill ISD boundaries starting on Monday, March 16th. Breakfast will be provided from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and lunch will be provided from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Plummer Elementary School, High Pointe Elementary School, Bessie Coleman Middle School and Cedar Hill High School.

Desoto ISD – Desoto ISD has announced they will be closed indefinitely.

Duncanville ISD – Duncanville ISD has announced schools will be closed indefintitely.

Garland ISD – Garland ISD has announced all GISD campuses, facilities and offices will be closed indefinitely. Online learning will begin Monday, March 23, 2020.

Mesquite ISD – Mesquite ISD will be closed through April 3. Unless notified otherwise, all students should plan to return to class on Monday, April 6. All extracurricular activities through April 3 are canceled.

Richardson ISD – Richardson ISD has announced that schools will be closed indefinitely. This includes canceling/postponing public meetings, events, at all schools, including UIL athletic contests. Beginning Wednesday March 25, RISD students will be able to continue lessons at home through the use of their school-issued devices in grades 3-8 and/or through age-appropriate lessons available through the RISD website for all students in grades Pre-K through 12. Check here for more closure details and information.

**Beginning Tuesday, March 24, free to-go meals for students, at RISD school and apartment delivery sites, will combine breakfast and lunch between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Rockwall ISD – Rockwall ISD has announced they will suspend classes through April 3. Updates will be communicated to parents/staff and posted on the district website at www.rockwallisd.com

Wylie ISD – Wylie ISD has announced they will be closed through April 3. E-Learning begins Monday, March 23.

PRIVATE SCHOOL NEWS & CHANGES

Alcuin School – For precautionary measures, Alcuin School has canceled all classes beginning Friday, March 13, 2020 through April 3, 2020. E-Learning begins Tuesday, March 24.

All Saints Catholic School – For the safety of students who recently returned from Spring Break, All Saints is transitioning to an e-learning environment.

Good Shepherd Episcopal School – Classes are suspended through April 3, 2020. Students will begin e-learning on March 23.

Greenhill School – For precaution, Greenhill School has canceled or postponed all on-campus, large-group activities, and out-of-town, school-sponsored travel through April 3.

Jesuit Dallas – Classes will be online through April 5 and all school-sponsored extracurricular activities, including rehearsals, practices, clubs, and service initiatives have been canceled.

Parish Episcopal School – All classes and extracurricular activities have been canceled beginning Friday, March 13, 2020. There will be no EXTEND Explorations or extended care, or Athletic practices or competitions. E-learning begins Wednesday, March 25.

St. Mark’s School of Texas – Classes will be suspended beginning Friday, March 13, 2020 through April 3. During this period away from campus, the School is conducting online classes.

St. Rita Catholic School – It was announced that school and extracurricular activities have been canceled through April 3. E-learning will begin March 23.

The Episcopal School of Dallas – Classes are canceled beginning Friday, March 13, 2020 through April 3.

Trinity Christian Academy – TCA has closed its campuses beginning March 12, 2020. Parents will be updated with more information.

Ursuline Academy of Dallas – Classes are suspended until April 3 and all school-sponsored extracurricular activities, including rehearsals, practices, clubs, and service initiatives have been canceled. E-learning will begin March 23, 2020.

CLOSURES, CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS

Below is a list of Dallas Metroplex Businesses, Events & Activities that have been canceled, postponed, or rescheduled. We’ll continue to update this list as news comes in.

BUSINESS CLOSERS & CHANGES

Carrollton-Farmers Branch Soccer Association :: CANCELED – All games and practices are suspended until April 1, 2020.
Cedar Hill Recreation Center & Library :: CLOSED through March 31, 2020.
Chick-Fil-A (All Locations) :: CHANGES which includes closure of playgrounds, meals served in carry-out packaging whether dining-in or taking out, drive-thru guests will no longer be offered a printed menu, and the beverage refill service may change.
City of Dallas :: CLOSED – All Park & Recreation Centers, Libraries, and facilities are closed and programs are suspended until March 20, 2020.
City of Plano Parks & Recreation :: CLOSED – all programs and events are canceled through April 19, 2020.
City of Richardson :: CANCELED – All Richardson Civic Center events, Recreation programs, & Library Programs are canceled. The Library will continue to provide services and the Recreation Centers will be open for use.
Crayola Experience :: CLOSED – for two weeks beginning March 13, 2020.
Dallas Museum of Art :: CANCELED – All adults and children’s programs through April 2, 2020; although the Museum remains open during regular operating hours.
Dallas Mavericks :: CANCELED – NBA season temporarily suspended with a re-evaluation in 30 days
Dallas Stars :: CANCELED – All future games are on pause.
Dallas Zoo :: CLOSED through March 20, 2020.
Eisemann Center :: CANCELED all events through April 30, 2020. Some performances may be rescheduled.
Nordstrom :: CLOSED all stores through March 31, 2020.
Perot Museum of Nature & Science :: CLOSED through March 20, 2020.
Six Flags Over Texas :: CLOSED through the end of March 2020.
Texas Discovery Gardens :: CLOSED beginning March 16, 2020.
Frisco Rough Riders :: CANCELED – all games will be rescheduled or postponed.
XFL Dallas Renegades :: CANCELED – All games for the 2020 season.

EVENT CANCELLATIONS & POSTPONEMENTS

All Out Trinity (March 28, 2020) :: EVENT CANCELED
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Winspear Opera House (March 13 – 14, 2020) :: EVENT CANCELED
FIGMENT Dallas (March 14, 2020) :: EVENT CANCELED
Lower Greenville St. Patrick’s Day Block Party (March 14, 2020) – The Block Party has been canceled but a handful of Lower Greenville restaurants and bars have decided to continue the party indoors. Visit their website for details.
Texas Rangers Opening Day :: (March 31, 2020) CANCELED – Season will be delayed at least two weeks.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

We’re coming across some great local resources to help during the next few weeks of uncertainty. Be sure to share these tips with local families who might need them!

How To Talk To Your Children about COVID-19 from the National Association of School Psychologists

KEEPING YOUR FAMILY HEALTHY

Of course, the best way to prevent this illness from spreading through your family is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The CDC has provided a complete CHECKLIST to help you prepare your home and family during the COVID-19 outbreak that includes tips for creating a household plan of action before it comes to your community, which preventative actions to take, and what precautions to be aware of when it appears.

HOW TO STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19

Adults and children are encouraged to:

Avoid touching faces and cover all coughs and sneezes in the crook of your arm.
Put the handshakes on hold! Instead, give a fist bump, wave, or air hug.
Disinfect all surfaces (especially metal) like doorknobs, tables, and handrails.
Open up those windows and enjoy the Spring weather! An increase in ventilation is key.
Create handwashing routines. Set alarms on FitBits or within classroom/home schedules. (We loved these Hand Washing Song alternatives from The Today Show)
Avoid sharing snacks!
Stay home at any sign of illness or if a family member feels ill.

Are you PREGNANT? Be sure to check the CDC’s website for a list of Frequently Asked Questions about Pregnancy and COVID-19 in addition to discussing any and all concerns with your physician.

Are you BREASTFEEDING? Similarly to the flu, the CDC recommends moms continue to breastfeed or expressing breast milk to an infant while taking precautions to avoid spreading the virus. For more information, contact your local physician and visit the CDC’s interim guidance page on breastfeeding.