Coronavirus Stamford: Playgrounds, More Establishments Closed

STAMFORD, CT — City officials have released a list of businesses, organizations and institutions that are closed as of Tuesday evening as the state, and the nation, grapples with the new coronavirus. Additionally, city officials announced Tuesday all playgrounds and ball fields in Stamford are closed until further notice to help mitigate the spread of the virus, also referred to as the COVID-19 virus.

As of Monday, all restaurants, bars, movie theaters, gyms and commercial casinos have been closed, however takeout and delivery options are still available and encouraged.

Stamford Government Center is also closed to all visitors who do not have an appointment with a specific department. Vital departments continue to operate, including public safety, 911 communications, highways and sanitation, however some departments may be operating with reduced staff or closed altogether.

The city's parks, beaches and parking lots remain open at this time, officials said.

The city also maintains a dedicated webpage for closures and affected services as a result of the virus.

The following is an alphabetical list of organizations, institutions and businesses impacted by the spread of the virus and communicated to the city of Stamford, as of March 17, 2020:

• Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy: Closed until Monday, March 30.
• Boys and Girls Club of Stamford: Closed until further notice.
• Building One Community: The building will remain open. Classes, group programs and events are canceled effective immediately for an indefinite amount of time.
• Chelsea Piers: Closed Friday, March 13 through at least Tuesday, March 31.
• Children's Learning Center: Closed Monday, March 16 through at least Friday, March 27.
• Ferguson Library: Closed Friday, March 13 to Monday, March 30.
• Islamic Center of Stamford: Closed until further notice.
• Italian Center: All group fitness, youth programs and group swim lessons are postponed until further notice.
• King School: Closed until March 29.
• New Covenant Center: Effective March 17, Contingency meal service protocols in place. Café temporarily closed to the public.
  • Only staff and volunteers allowed into the facility. Lunch and dinner meals will be distributed on bagged or boxed meal-to-go basis.
  • Food pantry distribution will still go forth on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with a reduction on how many enlisted guests can shop at a time.
  • Individuals with day-of-shopping appointments will be checked-in and escorted to sit and wait in café area.
• Schoke Jewish Family Services: Closed as of March 17. Freedberg Kosher Food Pantry will remain open, providing pre-packaged bags available to pickup outside the building. Counseling services provided through telephone sessions.
• Stamford Jewish Community Center: Closed through Friday, March 27.
• Stamford Police Department: All fingerprinting services provided will be temporarily suspended.
• Stamford Public Schools: All schools will be closed through Tuesday, April 10.
• Stamford Recreation: List of spring programs currently canceled.
• Stamford Senior Center: All Senior Center programs and activities suspended as of March 12.
• Stamford YMCA: Website detailing program changes.
• UConn Stamford: Campus closed until further notice, classes will be held online for the remainder of the semester.

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past.

See also: Coronavirus Stamford: City Suspends Pay To Park Requirements

• Coronavirus Stamford: Hospital No Longer Allowing Visitors

• Coronavirus Stamford: DVCC Closes Offices In Stamford, Norwalk

The city also maintains a dedicated webpage for updates regarding the virus, which can be found here.