Local events, attractions canceled; Stores, other businesses close due to COVID-19 concerns

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By ActionNewsJax.com News Staff

As COVID-19 spreads and health officials warn against large gatherings of people, local events are being canceled or postponed and stores and businesses are either temporarily closing or making adjustments.

>> RELATED: Mayor Lenny Curry announces new limit on all Jacksonville restaurants, bars

Action News Jax will update this article with any new announcements:

STORES AND BUSINESSES

  • Ulta Beauty is temporarily closing all stores across the nation as of 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 19 until at least Tuesday, March 31. For more information, click here.
  • Nordstrom announced it is closing its stores in the United States and Canada amid the coronavirus pandemic for two weeks, effective Tuesday, March 16.
  • Target announced it will “reduce hours and close all stores by 9 p.m. daily. This will help us as we replenish and deeply clean our stores for our guests. And it builds on measures we shared earlier this month, including enhanced cleaning and more staffing for in-demand services that support social distancing, like Order Pickup and Drive Up. We’ll also reserve the first hour of shopping each Wednesday to support vulnerable guests, including the elderly and those with underlying health concerns.” Click HERE for Target’s full statement.
  • Publix announced it will adjusting store hours: “To better serve our customers, give our store teams time to conduct additional preventive sanitation and restock product on shelves, beginning Saturday, March 14, Publix Super Markets will adjust store and pharmacy hours company-wide to close at 8 p.m. until further notice.”
  • Regal announced the closure of all theater locations starting March 17.
  • AMC Theaters said it would close locations for six to 12 weeks.
  • Daily’s Place is closed. AEW will move forward with a closed, private taping of their show this week.
  • The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, parks and public libraries are closed. Libraries will still be used as polling locations for the presidential primary and early voting.
  • City of St. Augustine is banning on-site alcohol consumption starting Tuesday at 5 p.m. The ban will continue for the next 30 days. This means consumers cannot drink at restaurants, bars, nightclubs, etc. The City of St. Augustine has also suspended trolley services.
  • The St. Augustine Catholic Diocese suspending public masses. "Bishop Estévez has directed that, effective immediately:
    • All public Masses are suspended in the churches and chapels of the Diocese of St. Augustine until March 31. (i.e., no weekday or Sunday public Masses)
    • Priests will still privately offer the Sacrifice of the Mass daily for the needs of the Church and the world, especially as we face the present realities of the pandemic. The letter from the Bishop can be found on the Diocesan website at www.dosafl.com.
    • Additionally, please note the following:
      • Stations of the Cross and the Parish Penitential Service have been cancelled
      • If you have an emergency, please contact the Parish Office at 904-285-2698.
      • The church will remain open for PRIVATE prayer daily from 6:00 am to 7:30 pm.
      • Reconciliation will be available on Wednesdays from 6:00 – 7:00 pm and Saturdays from 4:00-5:00 pm or by appointment.
      • Electronic copies of the bulletin can be found on our website at www.olsspvb.org or www.discovermass.com.
    • Options to view Catholic Mass can be found below:
  • The Alhambra Theatre & Dining is cancelling its performances through April 26, including the remaining week of its current show, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” and its upcoming performances of “Singin’ in the Rain.” For those who purchased tickets to these shows, The Alhambra will offer a house credit toward a future show.
    • Alhambra Managing Partner Craig Smith said: “As we approach the rest of our lineup, we will make our decision of when to re-open based, again, on the suggestions of our health and governmental leadership. In the meantime, we are also trying to protect the financial health of our staff, most of whom rely on hourly wages and tips as their income. We recognize that live theater plays a role in the community as a means to escape and relax, so if we can be open we want to provide that respite for our customers. In no way will we consider re-opening if it is recommended not to do so.” The Alhambra will continue to post updates on social media and to its audience as things change.
  • Patton Park, Ed Austin Park & Davis Park will be closed through March 29.
  • All libraries and the library bookmobile in St. Johns County are suspended.
  • The St. Johns County Pet Center is closed.

EVENTS

In Jacksonville, Mayor Lenny Curry announced all events in city-owned buildings and venues are suspended, including those at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, TIAA Bank Field, Times-Union Center and the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Curry also said all permits for large gatherings are being suspended until the end of March.

Below are events in the Jacksonville-area that have been either canceled or postponed:

  • An Evening with Michael Bublé at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on March 17 will be rescheduled.
  • Hamilton at the Times-Union Center is postponed.
  • The Florida Theatre postponed events through the end of March, including Kenny G and MasterChef Junior Live!
  • The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp season will be postponing the 2020 season.
  • The Jacksonville IceMen season has been canceled.
  • Disney on Ice canceled April 2- April 5 performances in Jacksonville.
  • Sun-Ray Cinema canceled Sleeping Giant Fest 2020.
  • Jacksonville’s Armada FC Youth Academy said it is suspending ALL activities through March 29.
  • Brunch Fest at Riverside Arts Market scheduled for March 22 has been canceled.
  • The Jacksonville In-Water Boat Show scheduled for April 3 through 5 has been canceled.
  • Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens is officially closed due to the health concerns of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). All activities within the arboretum are canceled.
  • As announced by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, due to the health concerns of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), all City of Jacksonville parks, including Memorial Park, will be closed until further notice. All activities within Memorial Park should be suspended until the City deems it safe for the public to return. Only personnel undertaking authorized work will be permitted in the park.
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is suspending gatherings of Mormon church members, including conferences and all public worship services worldwide.
  • 5K races in the Jacksonville area are rescheduled:
  • All public events put on by and hosted by the City of Jacksonville Beach have been canceled through March 31. We will work to keep you updated for events that may be rescheduled. Events include:
    • 904 Pop-Up Spring Break, March 15
    • Monthly Car Cruise, March 17
    • St. Paul’s Catholic School Carnival, March 19 -22
    • Duval Car Club Cancer Awareness Show, March 21
    • Jax Beach Volleyball Tournament, March 21
    • Pet Adoption Fair, March 22
    • Planning Commission Meeting, March 22
    • Special Magistrate Hearing, March 24
    • Canine Companions for Independence, March 28
    • Vintage Flea Market, March 28
    • Seagate Shuffle, March 29
  • All recreational facilities, recreational programming, recreational events, and all permitted events, including organized youth and adult sports, on St. Johns County property are canceled.
    • The St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier Gift Shop is closed and all permitted events associated on the property, including the parking lot, volleyball courts, and the pier pavilion are canceled.
    • All events scheduled to occur at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds are canceled.
    • All events scheduled to occur at the St. Johns County Agriculture Center are canceled.
    • All events scheduled to occur at the St. Johns Golf Club are canceled.
    • All St. Johns County recycling and community collection events are canceled.
    • All St. Johns County Fire Rescue community programming is canceled.

NOTE: The St. Johns Golf Club, St. Johns County’s beaches, parks, open green spaces, and trails remain open. In addition, Veterans Services, the Permit Center, Health and Human Services, Utilities Services, and all other County business services remain open to the public and operational. State-wide elections are also currently planned to proceed as scheduled.

  • The Celtic Festival in St. Augustine March 14 to 15 is canceled.
  • St. Augustine’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 14 is canceled.
  • The Seafood Festival in St. Augustine March 20 through 22 is canceled.
  • The Rotary, Rhythm & Ribs Festival in St. Augustine is canceled.
  • All public events scheduled March 14 through April 1 at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall will be canceled or postponed in the interest of public safety and based on recommendations from the Office of the Governor.
  • Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals have been postponed to a later date.
  • SeaWorld Orlando has closed through the end of March.
  • Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando is closed until March 31.
  • Santa Fe College Spring Arts Festival in Gainesville has been canceled.
  • The PGA TOUR announced The PLAYERS Championship is canceled because of coronavirus concerns.
  • The 2020 Masters Tournament has been postponed. Read more here.
  • The Clay County Manager and Board of County Commissioners announced that beginning Monday, March 16, until Wednesday, April 1, 2020, non-essential county sponsored public gatherings will be suspended.
  • Clay County Fair is canceled. For the official press release and information regarding ticket refunds please visit www.claycountyfair.org.
  • Carrie Clark Day at Clarke Park in Orange Park scheduled for March 14 has been postponed.
  • UniverSoul Circus shows scheduled for March 14 and 15 will be rescheduled to May 5 through 10. Tickets will be honored at those shows.
  • The National Park Service temporarily suspended visitor service operations at Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas National Monuments. Park visitor facilities, programming, and visitor services will be closed starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020. The National Parks Service will notify the public when it reopens Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas National Monuments.
  • St. Augustine’s Romanza Festivale of Music & The Arts is cancelled. The Festivale was scheduled for 17 days from May 1 to May 17, with daily events all around St. Augustine, including 80+ concerts, shows, exhibits and more.