ROCKINGHAM — The mass cancellations related to the potential spread of COVID-19 have even hit Richmond County.
Discovery Place announced late Friday that it would close all of its museums from March 14-27.
That includes the main museum in Charlotte and the Discovery Place Kids locations in Rockingham and Huntersville.
“Over the past several weeks, Discovery Place has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on our community, nation and world,” Catherine Wilson Horne, president and CEO said in a statement. “As a leader in STEM education throughout the Carolinas, we recognize the importance of following the recommendations provided by our local, state and federal health officials, who are offering this guidance based on the very best scientific and medical information available.
“Public health officials have noted that social distancing is an effective way to stop the transmission of COVID-19,” Horne continued. “To help limit the spread in our community, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close all Discovery Place museums for two weeks …We will evaluate the situation as it progresses and post updates as things develop.”
Horne added that the organization was not aware of any visitor or staff diagnosed with COVID-19 or that there was any exposure of risk at one of the Discovery Place facilities.
“We encourage each of you to join us in this social distancing effort,” Horne concluded. “It is only through committed, community-wide action that we will be able to make a difference. By taking this seriously, we can protect not only ourselves, but all of our family and friends.”
Also on Friday, the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce announced that it would be postponing the ribbon cutting for East of Bliss’ new location scheduled for Tuesday, its Coffee Connections event on Thursday and the annual Legislative Breakfast slated for March 23.
The City of Rockingham Department of Parks and Recreation also suspended all activities until further notice.
