Following Tuesday’s recommendation from Governor Mike DeWine that universities switch to online-only classes, sporting events go on without spectators and Ohio residents practice social distancing, here is a list of places and events that have either been canceled or postponed due to coronavirus concerns. The list includes church also closed.
School Closures
On Thursday, Governor Mike DeWine announced that all Ohio K-12 schools will close at the end of the school day on Monday, March 16 for an "extended spring break" until April 3.
READ MORE: All Ohio schools to close for 3 weeks starting Monday in response to coronavirus pandemic
Find additional school closings on our School Closings page here.
Cleveland Metropolitan School District has canceled Parent Teacher Conferences for Monday, March 16.
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Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging
All Rose Center for Aging Well sites and senior centers will remain closed until further notice.
The Adult Day Program will cease effective Monday, March 16 until further notice.
Sporting Events
MAC Tournament
The Mid-American Conference Tournament has been canceled.
RELATED: Remainder of 2020 MAC Tournament canceled amid coronavirus pandemic
OHSAA Tournament
The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced Thursday that all remaining winter tournament contests are immediately postponed.
The suspended tournaments include: the girls state basketball tournament, the state individual wrestling tournament, the state ice hockey tournament, and the boys regional and state basketball tournaments.
“We will use this time to work with the appropriate state authorities and health experts to determine our next steps moving forward,” Jerry Snodgrass, Executive Director. “We realize this is disappointing for our participants and their fans, but the overall health and safety of everyone involved in our tournaments is our priority.”
No timetable has been determined for possible rescheduling for the tournaments.
Cleveland Monsters
The American Hockey League has suspended play until further notice, effective immediately. All upcoming Cleveland Monsters games originally scheduled, starting with the home game on Sunday, March 15, have been postponed.
Colleges and Universities:
Kent State University, The Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University, John Carroll University, The University of Akron, Otterbein University, Ohio University, the University of Toledo and more are suspending all in-person classes due to coronavirus concerns.
RELATED: Several Ohio colleges suspend in-person classes due to coronavirus concerns
The universities decided to suspend in-person classes after recommendations from health authorities suggested limiting large gatherings and practicing social distancing.
Music Festivals
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, scheduled to take place in Cleveland on May 2, has been postponed.
RELATED: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony postponed due to coronavirus
Popular music festival Coachella has officially been postponed until October due to coronavirus fears. While not a local event, many people attend Coachella from all over the United States including Northeast Ohio. The festival, which was slated to be held during two weekends in April, attracts thousands from across the world.
RELATED: Music festival Coachella called off until October due to coronavirus
The festival said that it was heeding advice from health officials in California.
Tickets will be good for the rescheduled October dates. Those unable to attend can seek refunds, with additional information coming by March 13.
Court Hearings
Cleveland Municipal Court
While not exactly closed, some court cases are being rescheduled at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center.
RELATED: Cleveland Municipal Court rescheduling non-criminal and civil cases to slow COVID-19
According to the court, arraignments, trials and pre-trials as well as all civil matters will be rescheduled for the next three weeks.
By doing so, the court hopes to limit the amount of foot traffic inside the Justice Center.
You can check the court date schedule by clicking, here.
Jail cases that were already scheduled, including arraignments for both felony and misdemeanor crimes and misdemeanor pre-trials and trials that currently have a defendant in jail will still be heard, the court states.
Public Gatherings
Gov. DeWine issued an order Thursday prohibiting all mass gatherings of 100 or more people in the state of Ohio.
READ MORE: Gov. DeWine issues order prohibiting mass gatherings of over 100 people in Ohio to curb coronavirus
Cleveland St. Patrick's Day parade
The annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Cleveland has been canceled as a precautionary measure against the spread of coronavirus, according to multiple sources affiliated with the parade. The cancellation comes on the heels of Chicago canceling its parade this morning.
RELATED: Cleveland cancels St. Patrick’s Day parade due to coronavirus concerns
Cleveland's first St. Patrick's Day parade took place in 1842. It was organized by Cleveland's third resident, Rev. Peter McLaughlin, according to the parade's website.
Cleveland International Film Festival
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson announced the Cleveland International Film Festival has been canceled in response to confirmed cases of coronavirus in Northeast Ohio.
The Cleveland Orchestra
The Cleveland Orchestra announced it’s canceling concerts scheduled at Severance Hall on March 12, 13, and 14 amid concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. More info here.
The film festival was scheduled to run from March 25 to April 5, with this year being the last year it would be held at Tower City Cinemas. After the 2020 season, the festival will have a new home at Playhouse Square net year.
The event has grown more popular with each passing year, and according to the CIFF, attendance has reached more than 100,000 during its annual 12-day run featuring more than 600 film screenings.
Cleveland Public Library
According to the library, all programs, services, activities and meeting room reservations have been canceled.
The closure is effective end of day Friday.
The branches will still be used as polling locations for the primary election on March 17.
It will also still provide meals to kids Monday to Friday from 3:30 to 4:40 p.m. at the main branch and the 27 other branches.
East Cleveland Library
All branches will be closed beginning Saturday, March 14.
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame will be closed effective Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27.
Wadsworth Public Library
The Wadsworth Public Library will be closed until April 5, effective March 14.
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The museum said it is postponing all public events and meetings through March 31. Tickets purchases for events will be reimbursed, according to museum officials. You can reach the ticket office at 216-231-4600 x3200
The Lake Erie Nature and Science Center
Beginning March 13, all classes and programs are canceled until March 31. Visitors who have registered for programs between March 13 and 31 will be provided a full refund. Those with concerns can email at info@lensc.org.
The I-X Indoor Amusement Park
The I-X Indoor Amusement Park has been canceled. All advance ticket sales for the I-X Indoor Amusement Park and I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama will be refunded in their original form of payment.
Cleveland Metroparks
The metroparks are closing some indoor public facilities and canceling all events and programs until at least March 31.
- All indoor locations at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo are closed including: The RainForest, Primate, Cat & Aquatics, African Elephant Crossing, Sarah Allison Steffee Center and Wolf Lodge buildings. There will also be limited concessions.
- Circle of Wildlife Carousel and 4-D Theater at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
- All Nature Centers and Nature Shops: Brecksville Nature Center, Canalway Center, North Chagrin Nature Center, Rocky River Nature Center, Watershed Stewardship Center and Hinckley Lake Boathouse & Store.
- Merwin's Wharf
Canton Parks and Recreation
The main officer at 1414 Market Avenue will be closed to the public beginning Monday, March 16 through Monday, April 6. All shelter and facility rentals to include the Canton Garden Center, Garauz Shelter and all rental areas at the Edward "Peel" Coleman Community Center scheduled through Friday, April 3 are suspended. Renters have the option to transfer their rental to a later available date or receive a full refund.
Middleburg Heights Recreation Center
Middleburg Heights Recreation Center will close March 16. The closure is expected to last three weeks. The Recreation Center will open for voting purposes only on Tuesday, March 17.
Medina County Park District
The Medina County Park District issued this statement regarding the cancellation of their programs from March 14 to 30:
"The health and safety of visitors is Medina County Park District’s number-one priority. In order to be proactive in attempting to reduce the potential spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus, all park programs are canceled beginning March 14 and extending at least through March 30. In addition, Wolf Creek Environmental Center, Alderfer-Oenslager Wildlife Sanctuary, and Susan Hambley Nature Center are closed to the public from March 14-30.
"All other parks, trails and preserves remain open to visitors -- including Brunswick Lake Park, where Susan Hambley Nature Center is located.
"The park district will assess the situation on March 30 and make a determination as to when normal programming and nature center hours will resume. All decisions regarding public health and the safety of park visitors are being made in close consultation with the Medina County Health Department.
"Medina County Park District Headquarters will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday so that volunteers who assist with office duties during that period may stay home."
Cleveland St. Patrick's Day masses
The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland is canceling mass on St. Patrick's Day.
Great Lakes Science Center
Starting on Friday, they will be closed to the public due to DeWine's public gatherings ban.
The closure will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
The Islamic Center of Cleveland
The Islamic Center of Cleveland will not hold jummah khutbah (Friday sermon) prayer on March 13, 2020.
Cleveland Botanical Gardens
The Cleveland Botanical Garden will be closed to the public starting on Friday.
Holden Arboretum's announced on Wednesday that they will be closed starting on Thursday.
Akron Civic Theatre
The Akron Civic Theatre will be postponing events and rescheduling them for a later date.
Dyngus Day
Dyngus Day has been canceled, but officials hope to reschedule it for a later date.
Girl Scout Booths
Girl Scout cookie booths will be canceled through March 29. The will be reopening digital orders.
JACK Thistle Down Racino and JACK Cleveland Casino
Jack's Casino is closed, effective Saturday, March 14.
Cleveland Zoo
The Cleveland Zoo will be closed until at least March 31.
Summit County Department of Job and Family Services
Public access to the South Main Street and Tallmadge Avenue locations will be temporarily suspended beginning March 16. Workers will still be there to ensure residents receive the benefits they need. To apply for, renew or update assistance call 1-844-640-6446 or click here.
Summit County Animal Control
Beginning March 16 at 12 p.m., public access will be suspended at Summit County Animal Control. Only law enforcement will be able to make animal drop offs. Residents missing their pets can call 330-643-2845 to schedule an appointment to see if their pet is there.
Summit County Sanitary Sewer Services
Public access is being suspended beginning March 16 at 12 p.m. Residents can pay their sewer bills online here, or by writing a check and using the drop box location on South Main Street.
Churches
The following churches in Northeast Ohio have canceled services:
Antioch Baptist Church closed March 15, 22 and 29.
Church of the Western Reserve closed March 15, 22 and 29.
Mentor Presbyterian Church closed March 15
St. Mark Lutheran Church in Chesterland closed March 15 and 22
Affinity Missionary Baptist Church, March 14 through March 21
Community United Methodist Church in Elyria closed March 14, 21 and 28
Westlake UMC will be closed for in-person worship on March 15 and March 22. Worship will be streamed online at westlakeumc.org.
