Kitsap was struck this week with a wave of event postponements and cancellations as organizations pondered their role in keeping the community safe as worries heighten over the spread of COVID-19.

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday a ban on gatherings with more than 250 people in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. King County officials also imposed a prohibition on small events unless they meet public health guidelines that include social distancing, health checks on employers and other measures to prevent the virus’ spread.

In Kitsap, those restrictions do not yet apply. The Kitsap Public Health District is not currently recommending canceling public gatherings, though it is encouraging event organizers to review guidance from the Washington State Department of Health.

“The Kitsap Public Health District leadership team is reviewing the governor’s proclamation and evaluating the strategies needed to protect our community,” KPHD Administrator Keith Grellner said in a statement on Wednesday.

There were no new positive cases of COVID-19 identified by the Kitsap Public Health District on Wednesday. So far, Kitsap County has had two cases identified on Bainbridge Island. There have been 19 negative test results reported to the health district.

People who are at higher risk for serious illness, including elderly residents, people with underlying health conditions and pregnant women, should avoid public gatherings and crowds as much as possible.

Though Inslee’s ban on gatherings doesn’t affect Kitsap County, many businesses or event organizers are taking it upon themselves to adjust to the looming threat of COVID-19.

What events are canceled or postponed

Organizers of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Bremerton planned for Saturday announced on Thursday that the parade is canceled. It was supposed to celebrate its 30th year this year, but the Downtown Bremerton Association on Thursday said that "out of concern for public safety and an expeditious return to normal business activities, we have decided to cancel our St. Patrick's Day Parade."

The Kitsap Building Association announced on Thursday that its Spring Home and Garden Expo on Saturday and Sunday at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds will be canceled.

“We are closely following the Kitsap County department of health and if they tell us we need to cancel that’s when we’ll do so,” Andy Arrants, public relations for the Kitsap Building Association, said on Wednesday.

While Kitsap County school districts continue to keep schools open, the Central Kitsap School District on Wednesday announced that it is canceling all after-school and evening events at its schools, effective immediately through the end of spring break. That includes high school sports, according to a district spokesman.

"We are also suspending all outside community use of our buildings and facilities," the school district said in an email on Wednesday.

Organizations that have canceled events say there are a number of factors that go into the decision.

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“For the most part we’re trying to do business as usual unless things got really bad,” said Kathleen Gordon, president and CEO of the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce. “We don’t want to harm our businesses, but we want to be smart about how we do things.”

The chamber canceled its Tuesday business forum at Clearwater Casino as well as Silverdale Committee Chairmen’s Circle on Thursday, with Gordon saying the chamber anticipated low attendance and didn't want to bring in a speaker from another area.

However, Military Appreciation Day at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds went on last weekend as planned. Event attendees were conscientious. Some wore rubber gloves to remind themselves not to shake hands, Gordon said. Others were seen doing elbow-bumps or foot-taps to greet one another. Hand sanitizer and rubber gloves were supplied.

The Bremerton Symphony postponed its Saturday concert, and rehearsals have been postponed as well, said Tricia Soriano, office and operations manager.

“The primary factor is the population most at risk are over 60 years of age, which takes in a huge percentage of our audience and musicians,” Soriano said. She said the group consulted medical professionals in this decision and have been staying up-to-date with the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control.

Another symphony event later this month for children is still on for now, but the symphony will continue to monitor the situation, Soriano said.

Not quite canceled, the Washington State Science and Engineering Fair is going "virtual" this year and will be held March 27 and 28 with adjustments. The fair is held annually, hosting students from around the state at Bremerton High School. This year, in response to fears over the coronavirus, students will present their projects virtually and judges will make their decisions remotely.

"To be clear; NO students will physically attend an event," science fair organizers said on its website. "Judging will be done using a meeting app to view remote student presentations."

On Bainbridge, where two positive cases of COVID-19 have been identified, Bainbridge Performing Arts is temporarily closing. Performances, classes, rehearsals and meetings are postponed indefinitely but will be rescheduled at the right time, said Dominque Cantwell, executive director. Refunds and exchanges will be available.

Coronavirus in Kitsap:Two cases on Bainbridge, county explores options for 'isolation center'

In the meantime, Cantwell said the facilities will be cleaned until they sparkle.

“You hear the phrase ‘The show must go on.’ In this case it must go on later,” she said.

“In a lot of ways, we're seeing this bring out the best in our community. People are genuinely supporting one another, supporting this organization,” Cantwell said. “It’s a beautiful reminder of what matters most to all of us. You’re never going to do the wrong thing if you put people and the community first.”

The Bainbridge Museum of Art will continue its normal hours of operation, including the store and bistro, though all events this month are canceled. The museum is planning to reschedule most events, said Korum Bischoff, director of communications and visitor experience. He said stopping events will affect the museum, though none of the programs are huge moneymakers and funding from a strong network of supporters and donors will keep things going as usual. New exhibitions open on Saturday, March 14, and hand sanitizer has been put around the museum.

“As people are feeling more and more isolated and have less places to go, this may not be a place we can gather as a large group, but people can still go and have an escape from all the news we’re hearing and still be surrounded by beautiful things,” Bischoff said.

The Kids Discovery Museum on Bainbridge Island will remain open, though programs, art activities, field trips and large gatherings are canceled for now. The museum’s leadership team is meeting each morning to evaluate the situation, said Krzysztofa McDonough, communication and marketing director.

Bathrooms, exhibits, and props are being disinfected each night and throughout the day as needed. Hand sanitizing stations are set up around the museum and patrons are being encouraged to wash their hands as they come in.

In Bremerton, the Kitsap Rescue Mission planned to do a public forum at the beginning of April to discuss the community’s response to homelessness, but executive director Nancy Olsten says staff decided against hosting the event.

“We were in the middle of planning for that, but I called it off,” Olsten said. “No one wants to come out and congregate right now.”

Other events that have been canceled or postponed:

The League of Women’s Voters is postponing a forum on "What Happens to Our Garbage: Waste Management and Recycling in Kitsap County.” A new date has not yet been decided.

The dedication ceremony for a new veterans memorial to be held on Saturday at the Kitsap County Administration Building in Port Orchard is canceled.

The Kitsap Community and Agricultural Alliance is postponing its annual meeting, which was scheduled for March 17.

The upcoming Kitsap County Fix-it Fairs are being postponed to a later date, to be determined. This includes the Bainbridge Island event on April 19 and the Kingston Fix-it Fair on April 25.

The Kitsap Economic Development Alliance annual meeting has been rescheduled to June 12. Purchased tickets will work for the new date, but those who would like a refund can contact support@brownpapertickets.com or call 1-800-838-3006. Contracting Coffee Hour on March 11 was also canceled, as well as Small Business Coffee Hour.

This story has been changed since it was originally posted to update that the Kitsap Building Association Spring Home show is canceled. The change happened on Thursday.

Reporter Austen Macalus contributed to this story.