City officials, schools and local businesses have taken steps to stop the spread of the coronavirus by cancelling events and encouraging people to stay home.
In response to warnings from the White House to Contra Costa County Health Services, Orindans have cancelled events and taken other measures to protect against the coronavirus.
The Orinda Union School District Board of Trustees voted March 13 to cancel classes and all events through March 27. Spring Break is scheduled for March 30 to April 3.
The district said it had developed an online learning platform for teachers to use, allowing learning to take place from home.
Previously in a message to parents, Superintendent Carolyn Seaton posted that all school events involving more than 50 people would be cancelled at least through March 27, including assemblies, field trips, dances, concerts and after-school sports.
Holden High School cancelled its spring fundraiser.
The City Council cancelled its March 17 meeting the day before it was to take place. Previously the city had encouraged people to livestream the meeting, view the agenda online, and email questions/comments ahead of time.
The Orinda Association and the Orinda Community Foundation postponed the Citizen of the Year and the William Penn Mott Jr. Environmental Award dinner scheduled for March 22. A new date has not been set but organizers are considering sometime later this year.
The same was true for the Annual Wildlife and Olive Festival that has been planned on April 18.
“The well-being of everyone in our community is of paramount importance, and we will reschedule the festival as soon as we are able to,” posted Friends of Wagner Ranch Nature Area on their web site.
The Three-Quarter Century Club cancelled its May 20 event.
As a safety measure, the Orinda Theater in March reduced by 50 percent the number of tickets that would be sold to allow for an empty seat between patrons. This was the theatre’s response to “improve social distancing,” as advised by health officials.
“For the foreseeable future, we will discontinue reserved seating so you will be able to choose your seat when you enter the auditorium,” the theatre announced.
The theatre also postponed the March 15 Live at the Orinda performance of Natalie Douglas, promising to honor tickets when the concert is rescheduled at a later date.
With the constantly changing situation surrounding the virus, people are encouraged to check web sites or call organizers to confirm events.
Check The Orinda News home page on how to protect against the virus and other updates.
