Below is a list of precautionary closings that have been announced in Lexington and the Summit area. This list will be updated frequently as more info becomes available. As always, check with the venue/organization directly to confirm the most up to the minute information.
[This is an ongoing, developing story and will be updated frequently.]
This is also a developing economic impact story for the bluegrass. Locally-owned businesses are the lifeblood of the Lexington community, and continuing to support them is a critical part of the entire regional economy, and the interconnected network that makes the bluegrass special.
The Arboretum has announced “Due to COVID-19, the Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center is TEMPORARILY CLOSED. All classes, programs and events in March and April have been cancelled or postponed. As of March 17, the grounds and outdoor restrooms (near the Kentucky Children’s Garden entrance) are open. The opening date for the Kentucky Children’s Garden 2020 season has been postponed until further information is available.” Regardless, the Arboretum is a public garden, open daily from dawn to dusk, year round.
This information has since been updated as of March 27, 2020. Click here for the updated information.
Effective March 16, Champs Entertainment Complex will remain temporarily closed until further notice.
Dogtopia Lex announced the temporary closure of daycare, boarding, and spa services, effective April 13. All daycare passes and memberships will be rolled over until they are able to reopen.
Fayette County Clerk Don Blevins announced in a release, “The Fayette County Clerk’s office will close to the public beginning Tuesday, March 17, and remain closed until further notice. Staff and office ceased operation on March 27 and will remain temporarily closed until April 13.
Fayette County Public Schools has reported schools will be closed beginning March 16 and will not reopen until April 6, 2020. The Governor announced this decision is “not in response to a specific public health threat in our schools, but is an action to implement social distancing statewide.” FCPS offices will be open to help respond to questions from March 16 through March 27, and will pause between March 30 and April 3 due to spring break. (Child Care Council of Kentucky is launching a website to help connect people with childcare openings.)
On Sunday, March 22, Superintendent Manny Caulk announced “All Fayette County Public Schools will remain closed to students until April 20, 2020.”
It was announced that on Thursday, April 2 FCPS will remain closed until May 1 and re-evaluate then.
Students will continue their 2019-2020 schooling at home and will not return to school.
With food security being a reality for many families, FCPS has developed Bus Bites, a plan to provide breakfast and lunch for anyone 18-years-old or younger. Boxed meals will be available for children at a total of 115 bus stops and 18 school locations throughout the community. Breakfast will be served from 8-9 am and lunch will be served from 11 am-12:30 pm. On March 16, 2020, only lunch will be served. Twice a day service on March 17-20, 2020 and March 23-27, 2020. No service on March 30-April 3, schools were already scheduled to be closed for spring break. Specific information can be found here.
This information has since been updated as of March 26, 2020. Click here for the updated information.
Gyms and Spas across Kentucky have been ordered to shut down effective March 18 until further notice. Check with your gyms social media or website for when they will open and posts of workout videos.
Hair Salons have been ordered to close by Governor Beshear until further notice.
Hollywood Feed in The Summit at Fritz Farm is offering curbside pick-up for all pet supplies.
Until further notice, Immanuel Baptist Church is hosting church services online.
Although the Lexington Public Library initially canceled all library-sponsored programs, effective immediately, and planned to keep locations open, a new announcement on Friday, March 13 reported, “In response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic, Lexington Public Library will close all library locations beginning at the close of business today, Friday, March 13 at 6 pm. The Library currently plans to reopen for daily operation on Monday, April 6.” According to the post on their Facebook page, “Please do not return library materials until we reopen. There will be no charges for overdue materials.”
As of Monday, March 30, the Lexington Public Library will remain closed until “officials deem it safe to reopen.”
Lexington area movie theaters including Cinemark Fayette Mall and Movie Tavern are closed.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton recommended that all public events be canceled or postponed. The CDC recommends canceling or postponing events of 50 or more.
Keeneland officials have announced “the cancellation of the upcoming Spring Meet, which was scheduled for April 2-24, due to safety concerns surrounding the outbreak of COVID-19.”
Kentucky Derby scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2020 has been postponed until September.
Lexington Comic Con, scheduled for Thursday, March 26 through Sunday, March 29 has been postponed until Thursday, May 14 through Sunday, May 17.
Lexington Humane Society has suspended their volunteer program in all areas as of Tuesday, March 17. They are temporarily closing their main adoption campus and assessing if they have the ability to facilitate adoptions by appointment. Their Everyday Adoption Center at PetSmart in Hamburg is still open.
On the Table, scheduled for March 25, is a city-wide conversation where Lexingtonians can get to know each other better and discuss what is and is not working in our communities. This year, due to a recommendation from the Lexington-Fayette County Health Dept., “we are postponing the in-person conversations as a part of On the Table.” The survey process will instead begin online on March 25.
What retail shops are closed during COVID-19 outbreak?
Apple CEO Tim Cook announced in a letter posted on the company’s website, “We will be closing all of our retail stores outside of Greater China until March 27. The most effective way to minimize risk of the virus’s transmission is to reduce density and maximize social distance.” This includes the Lexington Apple store located in Fayette Mall.
All Bath & Body Works are temporarily closing their stores in the US and Canada. Customers can still shop on their online store.
Blo Blow-dry Bar in The Summit is closed temporarily. They will offer complementary blow outs to returning clients for a limited time once they reopen.
Cos Bar in The Summit is temporarily closed to the public during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Good Foods Co-Op grocery store remains open, but their dining area is closed. They are offering curbside pick-up and customers to order grab & go options via phone from 8 am until 7:30 pm. They are dedicating certain hours (8 am until 9 am) for seniors and those at higher risk.
Habitat ReStore locations will temporarily close to the public effective 6 pm on Saturday, March 21 in response to COVID-19.
Half Price Books are closing all of their stores across the nation until March 31.
H&M has closed all stores nationwide and in Canada until April 2 or until further notice.
Home Depot announced beginning Thursday, March 19, their stores will close daily at 6 p.m., while opening hours will remain unchanged.
As of March 19, all HomeGoods & TJ Maxx in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia will be closed temporarily for the next two weeks.
JC Penney’s in Fayette Mall is closing their stores effective March 19 until April 2.
Both Lexington Habitat ReStores are closed effective March 21 until further notice.
Macy’s at Fayette Mall is temporarily closing their stores from March 18 until March 31. They will reassess when to open at their doors at the end of their temporary closure.
Perspectives on Southland Drive remains open and operating normal business hours.
Effective March 18, Simpson Optical will close all three of their locations until further notice. A staff member will be available to answer phone calls at 859-278-2020 on a limited basis from Monday through Friday during our closure.
Superior Paint and Decorating is offering curbside drop-off to your car. Their new hours are Monday to Friday 7:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Vision Thru Design effective March 19 is open for urgent and emergent situations only.
Whole Foods Lexington is open and operating under modified hours from 8 am – 8 pm. Guests ages 60+ can begin shopping at 7 am beginning March 18.
Universities:
Transylvania University Interim President John Williams announced “After extensive conversations with campus leadership, we have decided to move to remote instruction for the remainder of the academic year and provide May term instruction remotely only for seniors who require credits to graduate in May.”
University of Kentucky has decided to make the remainder of the spring semester online only. For more information and updates on UK’s spring commencement, click here.
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