City Announces Facility Closures, Suspension of Municipal Court Proceedings, and Suspension of Events and Programming

DENTON, TX, March 13, 2020– To protect the health and safety of the community and our employees, and help minimize the potential spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), City Manager Todd Hileman has announced operational changes out of an abundance of caution. Certain City of Denton facilities will be closed, Municipal Court in-person proceedings will be temporarily suspended, and all City-sponsored events and programming at all facilities are temporarily suspended.

The City is closing the Denton Senior Center and Denton Natatorium, effective Saturday, March 14, until further notice.

In-person Municipal Court proceedings have been suspended until Wednesday, April 1, per advisory from the Texas Office of Court Administration (OCA).

All City-sponsored events and programs are also suspended through Sunday, March 22. Certain areas of Parks and Recreation facilities will also be closed through Sunday, March 22, such as gymnasiums, fitness areas, meeting rooms, and the walking track at the Denton Civic Center. Signs will be posted at these facilities.

As conditions change, these periods may be extended, and additional announcements may be made.

At this time, City Council, board, and commission meetings remain scheduled.

What does this announcement mean?

The Denton Senior Center and Denton Natatorium are closed until further notice.

Certain areas of Parks and Recreation facilities will also be closed, such as gymnasiums and fitness areas.

All City-sponsored events and programs are suspended through Sunday, March 22. This includes all programming hosted by departments, such as, but not limited to, Parks and Recreation, Library, Sustainability, and Animal Services.

Examples include, but are not limited to, all Library programming, all youth and sport leagues, group exercise, and programs like dance, karate, and home school activities.

A list will be available at www.cityofdenton.com/coronavirus. Residents are encouraged to regularly check this page as it will be continually updated.

Facility and room rentals are suspended through Sunday, March 22.

All City facilities, aside from the Denton Senior Center, Denton Natatorium, and restricted areas of Parks and Recreation facilities, remain open to the public. However, if you are at high-risk or are feeling ill, use caution and do not visit public facilities.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults and people with chronic medical conditions are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19. As the City continues to monitor the developing impact of COVID-19 in Texas and the Dallas-Fort Worth area, additional precautions may be taken in the future to limit the risk to the community, including adjustments to other City facilities and services.

The City is also implementing other measures across its facilities to safeguard the well-being of community members and staff. All City facilities are being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Library patrons are also encouraged to use the extensive digital collections and resources available at library.cityofdenton.com.

Per the Texas Department of State Health Services, if you are experiencing fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and you have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID‑19 or have traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID‑19 in the last 14 days, you should contact your healthcare provider. Be sure to call ahead before going to your doctor’s office or emergency department to prevent any potential spread of illness.

The City of Denton is prepared and trained to respond to emergencies with employees who specialize in emergency management. We are working diligently to monitor and respond as the situation continues to evolve.

A list of canceled and rescheduled events will be available at www.cityofdenton.com/coronavirus. Prior press releases and additional FAQs also can be found on the City website.

The City will continue to release updates at www.cityofdenton.com and the City’s social media channels.

Contact: Ryan Adams, (940) 349-8565, Ryan.Adams@cityofdenton.com

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Source: City of Denton