Local services and programs are canceled due to coronavirus
By Charles Sercombe
The coronavirus scare continues to affect a number of government institutions and social events.
Hamtramck included.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered all kindergarten through 12th grade schools to close. Schools will reopen on April 6. However, April 6 is when the Hamtramck Public Schools plan to begin spring break, which runs to April 13.
As of today, Friday, March 13, 2020, Hamtramck City Hall will remain open during normal business hours (8a.m.-4p.m.), Monday through Friday.
But that may change at any moment.
City Manager Kathy Angerer said she is gauging whether to close or limit services on a day-by-day basis.
The Hamtramck Public Library is now limiting its hours of operation and has cancelled all activities there.
The new hours of operation are: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday and will operating at that schedule through April 6.
The computer section of library will be closed during this time. Those with a library card can still access the library’s Hoopla service.
In general, the library says that unless there is a “pressing need” to visit the library, stay away.
The Hamtramck Recreation Department has also cancelled its activities. The Hamtramck High School Community Center is also closed until April 6.
Many events in the metro area have been canceled, and Gov. Whitmer is banning events that will have 250 or more people attending.
The Secretary of State is also limiting services at local branches, including Hamtramck’s. For the next three weeks, you must make an appointment to get into a branch, and service will be restricted to:
• Driver’s license renewals
• Title transfers regardless of type
• Testing for an original CDL, Chauffeur’s, mechanic and recreational license
It was not immediately known if local bars and restaurants will be closing.
In the meantime, the Detroit Zen Center announced it was closing down its food market as a “pre-emptive measure,” and cancelling yoga sessions and guest stays.
In an email press release, the center said:
“This is a pre-emptive measure, to do our part in protecting and preventing community outbreak in our vulnerable neighborhood and Center. …
“At the end of March, we will re-examine our national, state, local, and individual situation and make another assessment.”
The center also cancelled two events in April.
Public Pool art gallery also cancelled its exhibition opening for Saturday, March 14, 2020.
In an email press release, gallery organizers said:
“It is with a great sadness that we have to inform you that we will be postponing the opening reception of BOWLS!!! due to the coronavirus pandemic. …
“We can’t say how much this saddens us … all of the artists’ efforts have not gone unnoticed! Please send good juju to all those infected by this virus and let’s hope for the best.”
You can also add Planet Ant Theatre to the closing down list.
In an email, organizers said:
“We have always been an organization that has had success through adversity and has lived by the words “the show must go on.”
“Today, we must swallow our pride and make a hard decision for the safety of our community.
“Planet Ant will be suspending all programming and classes until further notice. We will reassess the situation early next week and notify all of you via social media and our mailing lists.”
The Zen Center also had some critical comments about how the virus issue is being handled.
“We are deeply concerned that testing in our state and country is inadequate. …
“One of our members with flu-like and respiratory symptoms, and exposure to potentially impacted people, had their request for testing rejected. Hopefully by the end of the month the appropriate state and federal agencies will be testing adequately, and help guide our decisions as a religious and food service organization. …”
The center said that because it is closing its market, they may need to hold fundraisers in the near future.
There are three known cases of coronavirus in Michigan.
Posted 5:30 p.m., March 13, 2020
Updated at 6:20 p.m., March 13
