The Kessler Theater is rescheduling the rest of its shows for March, including tonight’s sold-out Raul Malo show, “in an abundance of caution” for coronavirus.
The theater made the announcement at about 11 a.m. Friday. The Kessler will send emails to alert ticket holders of when shows will be rescheduled.
The theater’s capacity is about 500. Dallas County announced Thursday it is banning events with 500 or more people, punishable by a fine, and Dallas County Health and Human Services strongly recommends canceling events with 250 or more people.
The Texas Theatre says they’re staying open but limiting tickets to 250. The Texas announced they’re also doing extra cleaning of high-touch areas.
In addition to our usual cleaning protocols for the facility and our existing handwashing policy for staff, the theatre is being sanitized multiple times per day at touch points. In compliance with the Dallas County public health emergency declaration, which limits gatherings to 500 people and recommends not more than 250, not more than 250 tickets will be sold to any given show for the duration of the emergency. Patrons are encouraged to utilize our large auditorium to space themselves out during shows.
Dallas ISD is open Friday, and next week is spring break, but the school district sent out letters explaining the district’s “contingency plan should we not return” following spring break. The district says it’s serving lunches in classrooms at larger schools. The district is providing updates on its coronavirus page.
We’re waiting to hear whether recreation centers will be open during spring break.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson declared a local state of disaster today.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced a statewide disaster for all counties in Texas at around noon today. He said you can call 211 to find “no- or low-cost [healthcare] providers in your area.” He said to stay home if you are sick and that there’s no need to stockpile supplies. Abbott says the state is working to allow schools to provide meals to students who receive free or reduced-cost lunches should they close due to coronavirus.
Tell us, Oak Cliff. What are your plans for spring break now? If you have to go to work, how are you planning to handle childcare?
