As a service to residents and the business community of the Treasure Coast, Indian River Magazine Inc. is providing free updates on changes in operations that affect businesses in the region because of the coronavirus. If you have news to report, please email Gregory Enns at [email protected]
IRSC suspends in-class schedule, moves to online format

FORT PIERCE — In response to the latest guidance issued by Centers for Disease Control and the Florida Department of Health, Indian River State College will deliver all classes in an online format when it returns from spring break next week until further notice.
Classes currently being taught online will continue as scheduled on March 23.
Hybrid classes (blend of online & face-to-face) will be delayed for one week and shift to completely online on March 30.
Face-to-face classes will be delayed for one week and be adjusted to an online format where possible on March 30.
Workforce programs that require in-person contact hours (such as Cosmetology, Construction, and Industrial Education programs) will resume March 30 with alternative plans so students may complete the semester. Faculty members will be contacting students in these programs.
In accordance with the CDC guidance as of March 15, IRSC will begin working to postpone or cancel events in the near future that consist of 50 or more people. Updates will be provided on the IRSC website calendar for updates on event status.
Employees are still scheduled to return to work as scheduled on March 23.
Theaters temporarily close; museums open for now
Even before Sunday night’s announcement from the Centers for Disease Control recommending that public gatherings be limited to 50 people, theaters and museums on the Treasure Coast had already moved to temporarily close their doors and suspend shows.
Sharon Engle, director of the 1,200-seat Sunrise Theatre in Fort Pierce, announced Friday that all performances at the theater would be postponed or canceled through April 3.
“While we have been postponing and rescheduling dates with artists, we have notified those who are still scheduled to perform during this closure period,’’ Engle said in a news release. “We are diligently working to reschedule these performances and will keep you informed of any rescheduled dates.’’
Engle suggested that people with tickets wait until a new date has been announced to decide if they can attend. Once the rescheduled date is announced, ticket holders can exchange tickets for the future date or an alternate show, receive a credit voucher or full refund or return the ticket for a tax-deductible donation.
Kia Fontaine, executive director of The Lyric Theatre in Stuart, announced Saturday the suspension of all shows through April 6, including The Duprees on Saturday and Rocky & The Rollers scheduled for Sunday. Rescheduled dates will be announced and tickets for canceled shows will be refunded, she said.
Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach also announced Saturday that beginning today all performances of La Cage aux Folles and Bakersfield Mist will be canceled, as well as Tuesday’s Celebration Gala with Kelli O’Hara. The theater said staff will contact ticket holders within the next two weeks.
"Riverside Theatre is a not-for-profit organization, and this disruption is creating uncertainty for the theatre and other cultural organizations,’’ spokesman Oscar Sales Jr. said in a press release "We ask our patrons for their patience and benevolence during this difficult time.''
MusicWorks, producers of shows at the Emerson Center in Vero Beach, announced Monday that it is suspending its shows and is working to reschedule them. These include Broken Arrow, Songs of Neil Young, March 19; Space Oddity, The Ultimate David Bowie Concert Experience, March 26; Classic Albums Live” Fleetwood Mac’s Greatest Hits, April 2; and Peter Asher (of Peter and Gordon Fame), April 9, 2020.
Museums were also either closing or curtailing operations.
The Vero Beach Museum of Art, one of the top tourist destinations in Indian River County, is closed until April 5.
Rob Steele, president and CEO of the Historical Society of Martin County, said the Elliott Museum will remain open but events planned such as the 24th Annual Classics at the Beach Car Show March 21 have been canceled, as well as the Gabe Stillman Show scheduled for March 28 at the House of Refuge.
Cleveland Clinic first site to offer drive-thru testing
STUART —Cleveland Clinic Martin Health has become the first hospital on the Treasure Coast to offer COVID-19 testing, TCPalm reported. The hospital began testing on Saturday for those who meet federal and state criteria. See complete story here
Food for families available at Boys and Girls Club locations
Beginning this week, local children and families will be able to pick up pre-packaged dinners to go from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at four Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County locations. The meals are being made available by a band of volunteers and the Treasure Coast Food Bank. Find out more at (772) 460-9918 or www.bgcofslc.org
Tips on working from home
Whether you are a business operator who is overseeing employees working from home or you are an employee who has begun working from home because of the Coronavirus, you’ll find four tips in this video for staying productive.
Does your business have news of a temporary closing, a change in operations due to COVID-19 or recommendations or experiences that you would like to share with readers of this newsletter?
If so, email details to Gregory Enns at [email protected]
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• In Vero Beach and Port St. Lucie contact Lisa Crawford at [email protected] or 516.721.0848.
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