Here are some local businesses, national chains and events that have been affected by COVID-19.

EDUCATION

Meridian Community College has extended its spring break. When students return most classes will be held online, with certain technical courses being offered on campus with precautions.

WORSHIP SITES

Northcrest Baptist Church in Meridian will not have on-campus Sunday services, but will live stream services. The live streams will be conducted at the regular Sunday service times, 9 a.m. Bible study; 10:30 a.m. morning service and 6 p.m. evening service. Bible study and services will stream at northcrestbaptist.com, the Northcrest Baptist Facebook page, and on the Northcrest YouTube channel.

Poplar Springs Drive Baptist Church will have worship service at 10:15 a.m., no nursery provided and no Sunday school.

CORRECTIONS FACILITIES

Mississippi Department of Corrections suspended the transfers of inmates from all county jails to MDOC custody until further notice. The action is in addition to the temporary suspension of visitation at all facilities with MDOC inmates as the MDOC establishes sanitation and prevention protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19, according to an MDOC news release.

There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the MDOC prison system.

The Mississippi Department of Corrections has suspended visitation at all facilities that house inmates. (As of Thursday afternoon, there were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the state prison system.)

Kemper Regional Correctional Facility: all visitation is canceled until additional sanitation protocols are put in place, Kemper County Sheriff James Moore said.

HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

The Queen City Nursing Center is heavily restricting visitors. “Do not visit if you are sick or in contact with someone sick,” said Joann Hawkins, director of nurses at the Queen City Nursing Home. “We focus more intently on cleaning surfaces and staff are updated every two weeks (on virus updates).”

J.T. Champion Nursing Home is not accepting any visitors.

The Mississippi Veterans Home in Collins will will have restricted access to the public.

Anderson Regional Medical Center has no confirmed cases as of Thursday morning.

Rush Health System has no confirmed cases as of Thursday morning.

EVENTS

The MSU Riley Center has adjusted its performance schedule for two shows: Bruce Hornsby and the dramatic performance Lula Del Ray. Tickets for the original events will be honored. New show dates will be posted at msurileycenter.com when announced. MSU is suspending all university-sponsored events and gatherings, including events sponsored by any registered student organization, through March 23.

Sip & Savor scheduled March 28 at the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment experience has been postponed. The MAX has also increased its cleaning schedule, is wiping down exhibits and placed hand sanitizer at entrances, exits and gallery locations. The MAX President and C.E.O. Mark A Tullos, Jr. said that the goal is late spring, around May. 

“All of our chefs and sponsors have been notified,” Tullos said. “Everybody is understanding and we are delighted everyone is so patient.”

Regular events and normal operating hours are unaffected, according to Tullos.

“Other than major gatherings with 250 people we operate just as normal,” Tullos said. 

At the Temple Theater, multi-award-winning artist and songwriter Zach Williams’ headline tour “The Rescue Story Tour” has postponed its visit to Meridian until the fall.

The concert, which will feature as special guest contemporary Christian music band We The Kingdom as well as Christian band CAIN, was scheduled to be held Sunday, March 29.

The Threefoot Festival in Meridian has been postponed to a later date, possibly in the fall. 

The Meridian Symphony Orchestra has postponed Symphony Doo-Dah.

BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS

NAS Meridian is monitoring the situation but has not restricted travel.

Best Buy is encouraging buyers to shop online. “A strict travel policy for our employees is in place, and we have canceled meetings with large gatherings, again to do what we can to help prevent the spread of the illness,” Best Buy stated. 

Lowe’s: “We’ve spent the last several weeks preparing for how the virus may impact the communities we serve. We’ve established a task force that is working closely with the CDC, health authorities and all stores across the country to ensure we’re taking all necessary preventative measures.”

If you have a business, organization or event affected by COVID-19, please email editor@themeridianstar.com.