UPDATE, MARCH 16: Events for the family in the Philadelphia area were being canceled or postponed last due to concerns over coronavirus even before the CDC recommended Sunday the postponement of all gatherings of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks.
The CDC's recommendation will likely compel all venues to close and most acvities to be canceled over the next two months.
EARLIER STORY:
The Narberth Business Association has canceled its annual Great Narberth Leprechaun Hunt, which had been scheduled for March 14.
"We hate to disappoint the kids, but in light of the current health concerns, we feel that it's better to err on the side of caution," organizers said.
The family-friendly scavenger hunt has been taking place on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day since 2008.
The University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Center announced Wednesday that it was calling off several performances and programs that it was scheduled to host through April 15 after the university "strongly recommended that events of 100 people or more be canceled or postponed."
The university's Penn Museum also canceled its March and April 40 Winks, which are special nights when kids can spend the night in the museum. The May and June 40 Winks are still scheduled.
Drexel University's Academy of Natural Sciences announced Tuesday that is was postponing its Philadelphia Environmental Film Festival until September.
"For the safety of our audience, volunteers, partners and filmmakers – and to showcase the film selections widely to the audience they deserve – this was decided to be the wisest course of action," it said. Tickets purchased for the planned April 1 – 5 events will be honored for the rescheduled Sept. 23 – 27 festival.
Stockton University's Noyes Museum of Art, with facilities in Atlantic City and Hammonton, NJ, said Wednesday that it is canceling all programs until April 5.
Delaware Art Museum has canceled all public programs and events for the next several weeks, although the museum will remain open.
ChristianaCare, the health network based in Wilmington, DE, announced Wednesday evening that it was canceling all community events, such as classes and lectures.
The spreading coronavirus has also forced the cancelation of Philadelphia's St. Patrick's Day on Sunday.
With Easter on April 12, there are more than two dozen egg hunts, meals with the Easter Bunny, train rides, Easter parades, and special events planned around Philly, South Jersey and Delaware, some as soon as the end of March. We'll keep tabs to see if any are canceled, but we also suggest checking with the sponsors before heading out to make sure everything is going as scheduled.
While the coronavirus is believed to be very mild in children and young people, it is not clear if they can spread the virus. Several schools closed this week for cleaning after one or more of their students came in contact with a doctor at the King of Prussia office of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The doctor is now hospitalized in critical condition with COVID-19.
List of canceled or postponed events due to coronavirus concerns
(As of March 13)
Smith Playground (open for visits, Play-a-Palooza postponed)
Bartram's Garden (programs canceled; gardens open)
Independence Seaport Museum (two weeks)
Michener Museum (until March 30)
Free Library of Philadelphia (public programs through March 31)
McCarter Theatre (through March 31)
Hopewell Theater (until March 16)
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (public events through April 3)
Philadelphia Orchestra (through March 23)
Delaware Museum of Art (museum open, events canceled)
ChristianaCare (public events canceled)
Noyes Museum of Art (until April 5)
Annenberg Center (Some events; others postponed)
Penn Museum 40 Winks (March and April events only)
Environmental Film Festival (Postponed to September)
