Coronavirus cancels most of Kansas City’s fun. Here’s what’s left. But should you go?
Update: Union Station announced Saturday that Science City, the Planetarium, the Genghis Khan Exhibition and the Model Rail Gallery will be closed March 14-31. Other closures announced Saturday: The National World War I Museum, March 14 through at least April 3; the American Jazz Museum, including the Blue Room and Gem Theater, March 14 until April 4; Wonderscope Children’s Museum, “for the foreseeable future.” This story was originally published Friday. See a full list of cancellations here.
While the new coronavirus has forced hundreds of events to be canceled, there are still many things Kansas Citians can get out and do — but should you?
The rapidly evolving situation means businesses may change course.
But for now, as families gear up for spring break next week, some institutions includingthe Kansas City Zoo remain open, as are many restaurants and shops.
Movie theaters in the area have remained open. Starting Saturday, AMC Theatres, the Leawood-based chain, said it is capping ticket availability at 50% and limiting capacity to 250 seats. Liberty-based B&B Theatres announced a similar policy.
“With this action, we are facilitating the ‘social distance’ between guests who still want to see movies on a big screen,” AMC CEO Adam Aron said in a statement.
But the movies they’ll be showing suddenly got limited. The release dates for several high-profile spring films, including Disney’s “Mulan,” “A Quiet Place Part II” and the James Bond film “No Time to Die,” have been postponed because of COVID-19.
Should you go out?
On Wednesday, a wave of closures and cancellations swept over Kansas City as Mayor Quinton Lucas announced a state of emergency. Longstanding traditions including the Big 12 men’s college basketball tournament at the Sprint Center and Tuesday’s St. Patrick’s Day parade were scrapped.
Kansas City’s emergency declaration means gatherings involving more than 1,000 people are prohibited through the beginning of April.
But Lucas said there is no reason to consider it a “mass quarantine” and avoid going out in public.
Kansas City Health Department Director Rex Archer said vulnerable populations — such as those over age 50, those with heart and lung conditions and anyone who is immunocompromised — should take extra precautions.
Businesses, venues and organizations have urged anyone who feels ill to stay at home.
The New Theatre & Restaurant in Overland Park, where “Church Basement Ladies” is now playing, sent patrons assurances that it is taking extra precautions: “After every performance, all surfaces in both the kitchen and theatre are wiped down with a hospital-grade, virucide/disinfectant that kills germs and viruses on contact. That includes every chair, table, handrail, door and door handle.”
And it tried to combat fears over health risks: “… Studies have shown that human companionship, just being around others, can lower stress and strengthen immunity. Who knew attending a show at New Theatre was so healthy?”
Screenland Theatres, with movie theater locations in North Kansas City and the Crossroads, gave similar assurances in a statement: “We have committed to increasing the frequency of sanitizing contact surfaces (arm rests, handles, railings, etc.) before and after films.” And staff will clean about 30 minutes, the statement said.
Other places that remain open include Crown Center. Wonderscope in Shawnee, had promised it cleans every night “with hospital grade cleansers” but on Saturday announced it was closing after all.
Several larger concert venues, including the Sprint Center and the Uptown Theater, have not officially closed, but touring acts, such as Cher and Lukas Nelson, have canceled all performances. The RecordBar, where capacity is 400 people, Green Lady Lounge and the Phoenix will continue to present live local music.
And lastly, the 33rd Annual Ozark Mountain UFO Conference slated for April 10-12 in Eureka Springs is also still happening, organizers said. The event will include speakers who claim they were abducted and alien researchers.
About coronavirus
Coronavirus has infected more than 137,000 people worldwide and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, according to the Associated Press.
Symptoms of the virus include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, health officials say.
Six cases have been reported in Kansas, including one that killed a man in his 70s in Wyandotte County. Four cases are located in Johnson County, and one is in Wichita.
Two cases have been identified in Missouri, one in St. Louis County and the second in Springfield. Two additional cases were announced Friday, but no details were provided.
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 3:43 PM.
