Like most cities across the Eastside, Redmond has canceled many events as well as closed community facilities due to the recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

“To slow the spread of and reduce the number of individuals infected with COVID-19, the city is acting on King County Public Health’s latest recommendations to cancel or postpone events and meetings where we expect 10 or more people,” said Redmond Mayor Angela Birney in a video statement released March 5.

Under recommended precautions, the city of Redmond is putting forth great efforts to limit the exposure within the community and city staff.

On March 5, the Old Redmond Firehouse Teen Center and the Redmond Community Center were closed until further notice.

In addition to the closures of the community centers, all senior programming has been canceled, including the Bytes Cafe.

The March 5 parks and trails commission meeting has been rescheduled for March 12.

The city of Redmond updated its website, as of March 5, to reflect current cancellations. They include Winter Whimsy at City Hall and Family Movie Night at Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village, both March 6. The website also states the Lake Washington School District is monitoring the situation as it relates to schools and is posting updates on their website.

Donna Bannister, the officer manager of OneRedmond, said that the organization is currently on the fence about canceling events as of March 3.

A March 19 Sip and Socialize event, for example, is likely to be (but has not officially been) postponed. Recent and upcoming OneRedmond meetings have been happening virtually rather than in person as a precautionary measure, Bannister said.

The Redmond Historical Society has canceled its March 9 speaking event, “Seattle’s First Railroad: The Seattle Coal & Transportation Company,” as a precaution. It has also canceled the March 14 speaking event “Washington on Wheels: Odd and Innovative Transportation Ideas from the Pacific Northwest.”

The fire department, police department and City Hall will remain operational.

According to the video statement released on March 5, King County has recommended that people older than 60 and people with underlying health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or those with compromised immune systems should consider avoiding large groups of people.

“The city continues to work closely with King County, and our neighboring cities and agencies, to prepare and respond as necessary,” said Birney. “We encourage the community to protect yourself with healthy habits.”

For updated information regarding cancelations, resources or coronavirus facts please visit, www.redmond.gov/COVID-19.