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Area postponements start to pile up

FAIRMONT — As the area continues to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, many local governments, businesses and organizations are being forced to cancel or postpone upcoming events.

They include:

o The Fairmont Opera House has immediately postponed and cancelled all upcoming events until further notice.

The Opera House will re-evaluate the decision at the end of March.

If a show is cancelled, ticket-holders will have the opportunity to decide if they prefer to make a donation and receive a receipt from the Opera House as a non-profit organization for the price of the ticket, or the ticket may be exchanged for a future performance with no charge for the ticket exchange. Refunds are not provided.

Those with questions may call the Fairmont Opera House at (507) 238-4900 or email info@fairmontoperahouse.org

o Joy Pollock, local coordinator for AARP tax-aide in Fairmont, said that effective immediately, the AARP national office has directed all local offices to close because of the coronavirus. Taxpayers are encouraged to make other arrangements to file their tax returns.

o Mayo Clinic Health System has announced that to protect the safety of Mayo patients and staff, new visitor restrictions are being put into place for all facilities in southwest Minnesota, effective today.

Patients will be restricted to two visitors per person at hospitals and clinics.

Visitors who are ill should not visit patients.

Family members are encouraged to consider other ways to connect with their loved ones, via phone or other devices.

Those showing any sign of possible COVID-19 symptoms are asked to contact their local health care provider. Those who meet testing criteria will be directed to a local testing sites. Those showing any signs of the virus are asked not to come into a clinic or hospital to be tested.

In a separate news release, Mayo in Fairmont says it is now offering a drive-through screening process for patients who meet criteria for COVID-19 testing.

As a first step, patients must call their Mayo Clinic Health System primary care clinic. A provider or nurse will determine if patients meet criteria and will schedule a drive-through test. Tests will not be offered to people who have not been pre-screened over the phone.

o United Hospital District has announced that those seeking treatment at one of its facilities and have developed a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call for more instructions. The number is: (507) 526-3273.

Effective today, visitor restrictions are as follows:

n Only one visitor/support person per patient will be allowed for any clinic, hospital and emergency room visit.

n Parents are asked not to bring children to parental appointments or siblings to other sibling appointments to help ensure the safety and health of all.

n The UHD cafeteria will be closed to the public.

n All non-essential community meetings taking place in any UHD facility are cancelled until further notice.

The following UHD services are limited or postponed until further notice:

n Cardiac rehab

n Physical and occupational therapy will only see postoperative patients.

n Surgical services will continue but will be limited. All patients who may be affected will be contacted.

Other cancellations/postponements are as follows:

o Fairmont Exchange Club, which normally meets noon Tuesdays at the Fairmont Holiday Inn, will suspend its weekly meetings for three weeks. They will reconsider starting April 14.

o Fairmont United Methodist Church has cancelled its Wednesday night suppers until after Easter.

o Trinity Lutheran Church in Alpha has cancelled the ice cream social scheduled for March 22.

o A decision has been made to postpone the Fairmont Knights of Columbus silent and live auction scheduled for March 28.

o A spring course for Minnesota firearms safety training class that was scheduled for March 23 has been cancelled due to a directive from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Plans are to have the fall course of instruction in firearm safety as scheduled.

o Fairmont Early Risers Kiwanis has cancelled its next two Wednesday morning meetings (March 18 and March 25) at the Ranch Restaurant.

o Martin County Library in Fairmont has announced that still plans to be open during normal business hours but the library has cancelled all special events through the end of March.

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