AMC ticket prices will soon be different depending on seat location

You may have to pay extra to get good seat at AMC Theatres.

The country's largest movie theater chain announced Monday plans to price tickets based on seat location within the auditorium, meaning moviegoers will pay different prices depending on their proximity to the screen.

Think concert ticket pricing – the closer you are to the stage the more you're going to pay. In this case, the closer you are to the screen, the cheaper your ticket. How much more exactly? AMC hasn't announced yet.

But the new pricing initiative, called Sightline at AMC, already kicked off in select locations and will roll out nationwide by the end of the year, AMC said.

Sightline at AMC offers three tiers of seats:

Standard Sightline: The "most common" seats, which are available for "the traditional cost of a ticket."

Value Sightline – Seats in the front row, which are "available at a lower price than Standard Sightline seats"

Preferred Sightline – Seats typically in "the middle of the auditorium," which are priced at "a slight premium to Standard Sightline seats."

Value sightline pricing is only available to members of the AMC Stubs loyalty club, including the free tier, while paid members can reserve preferred sightline seats at no additional cost.

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The ticketing initiative represents the latest attempt by a major movie theater chain to boost attendance and revenue after the COVID-19 pandemic forced theaters to shutter.

Sightline ticketing applies to all showtimes after 4 p.m. at participating locations. It's not applicable on Tuesdays, when AMC sells tickets at a discount.

AMC said theaters that offer variable pricing will provide a detailed seat map that will outline each option when patrons purchase tickets online, on the AMC app and at the box office.

AMC, Regal, and more: Here's what to expect as movie theaters ...

Movie theaters are finally ready to unlock their doors for the shortened summer movie season. But what will the experience feel like in the midst of a global pandemic?

Most indoor theaters are taking precautions to ensure proper social distancing and reduce in-person contact while allowing moviegoers to enjoy new Hollywood films such as Christopher Nolan's sci-fi thriller "Tenet" (Sept. 3). Sanitation measures include contactless payment options and reduced auditorium capacities.

Theaters will have to be extra cautious, says Phil Contrino, director of media and research for the National Association of Theatre Owners. But he's still optimistic about bringing back an “experience that a lot of people miss.”

“It’s just about conveying to customers right now that they’re taking the safety precautions that customers want to see,” he says. “The experience is obviously going to be different when people come back, but it will evolve to meet how things change from moment to moment as more guidance comes out.”

Wondering whether you need to pack your face mask? Hesitant to carry cash? We've put together a list of the COVID-19 protocols in place at seven of the most popular theater chains, along with their reopening dates.

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AMC Theatres

Reopening date: 100 locations will reopen Aug. 20, with 15-cent tickets on opening day only for catalog films like "Ghostbusters" and "Back to the Future."

Number of theaters: 8,043 screens in 634 locations

Mask policy: Guests are required to wear face masks at all times and can remove them only while eating or drinking. Disposable masks will be available at the box office for $1 for those who arrive without.

Seating: Auditoriums will be reduced to 30% capacity or less, based on municipality guidelines, and every other row will be empty for social distancing. AMC encourages moviegoers to leave an empty seat between their party and other guests.

Cash or credit cards? Cash won't be accepted at concession stands but may be used to purchase an AMC gift card for food and drinks.

Tickets: Contactless payment methods are preferred, such as credit, debit or AMC gift cards.

Concessions: A limited menu will be offered to ensure quicker service, but popcorn and soft drinks will be available. Refills are temporarily unavailable.

Coming soon: New releases such as "Tenet," "Unhinged" and "Antebellum."

Regal Cinemas

Reopening date: Aug. 21

Number of theaters: 7,178 screens in 546 theaters

Mask policy: Guests will be required to wear face masks in the lobby, hallways and restrooms, but can remove them inside the auditorium while eating and drinking.

Seating: Depending on state and county mandates, auditorium capacities will be reduced 50%, and two empty seats will be left between groups to maintain social distancing. Group sizes will be limited where required by state or county.

Cash or credit cards? Contactless payment is preferred; guests can purchase concession items with the Regal mobile app or cash.

Tickets: Available ahead of time on the app, but customers can pay at the theater with cash or credit card.

Concessions: Every other register will be closed to maintain social distancing, and a reduced menu will be available. Self-service condiment stands are closed, and refills on drinks and popcorn are suspended. Diners, restaurants and in-theater ordering are temporarily suspended, and bars will be open only for walk-up service. Vending machines and water fountains will be closed.

Coming soon: New Hollywood films such as "Tenet," "Antebellum" and "Unhinged," as well as recent pre-pandemic films such as "Saint Maud" and "The Burnt Orange Heresy."

Cinemark Theatres

Reopening date: Six theaters are open in Texas or Florida; most others anticipate reopening in mid-August.

Number of theaters: 4,630 screens in 344 theaters

Mask policy: Guests are required to wear face masks at all times, except when eating and drinking inside the auditorium.

Seating: Auditorium capacities will be reduced, and showtimes will be staggered to permit physical distancing.

Cash or credit cards? Cash won't be accepted for snack purchases, but can be used to purchase gift cards, which are redeemable at the concession stand. Cinemark prefers contactless payment methods, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay.

Tickets: Customers are encouraged to pre-purchase tickets online.

Concessions: Popcorn and drink refills won't be offered, but previously refillable sizes will be discounted. Popcorn, soda and candy will still be offered, but favorites such as Pizza Hut may not be available.

Coming soon: A mix of new films and older classics such as "Scream" and "The Lord of the Rings."

Marcus Theatres

Reopening date: Six locations are open, with the rest returning at a future date.

Number of theaters: 1,106 screens in 91 theaters

Mask policy: Guests are encouraged but not required to wear masks.

Seating: Auditorium capacities will be reduced, and there will be two empty seats between groups for proper social distancing. Showtimes will be staggered to allow a limited number of customers in the theater at a time.

Cash or credit cards? Cash will be accepted, but contactless payment, such as credit and debit cards, is encouraged.

Tickets: You can purchase tickets at the box office or order in advance on the Marcus Theatres app or website.

Concession: Popcorn, soda and candy will be available. Food orders may be placed before arriving at the theater and retrieved at the designated pick-up area. Concession stands will be open for those who prefer to order onsite. Theater bars and lounges will be open limited hours.

Coming soon: Marcus will start by showing movies that were popular when theaters closed, such as “Sonic the Hedgehog,” “Bad Boys for Life” and “Jumanji: The Next Level.” Retro classics will also be shown. Tickets will cost $5 and will return to standard pricing once new movies are released.

B&B Theatres

Reopening date:A dozen locations have reopened in Kansas, Texas, Missouri and Iowa. No date has been set for the rest of the chain's theaters.

Number of theaters: 418 screens in 48 theaters

Mask policy: Guests are encouraged but not required to wear masks.

Seating: Showtimes are spread out to limit occupancy in common areas. When a guest reserves a seat, the surrounding seats will be unavailable to ensure a 6-foot distance. Recliner auditorium rows are already 7 feet apart.

Cash or credit cards? Cash won't be accepted to limit interaction.

Tickets: Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets online, but they can be purchased in person at the box office.

Concession: Traditional concessions, along with extended menu options, will be available.

Coming soon: Fan favorites such as "Avengers" and "The Greatest Showman" until newer titles are released.

Malco Theatres

Reopening date: 6 locations in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Kentucky are open on the weekends. All other theaters are expected to reopen in August.

Number of theaters: 363 screens in 35 theaters

Mask policy: Face masks aren't required in the auditorium but must be worn in the lobby and restrooms. Thermal temperature checks will be conducted on guests at the door.

Seating: Every other row will be left empty for social distancing.

Cash or credit cards? Cash will be accepted, but credit cards are encouraged.

Tickets: Advance ticket are suggested, purchased online or on the Malco app.

Concession: A limited menu will be offered, but food and drink won't be delivered to your seat. Refills are available in fresh new containers.

Coming soon: A mix of classic films ("Jaws," "Back to the Future"), pre-COVID-19 releases ("The Hunt," "The Invisible Man") and new releases ("The High Note," "Irresistible").

Bow Tie Cinemas

Reopening date: Connecticut and Colorado locations are already open; New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia theaters will reopen next.

Number of theaters: 220 screens in 32 theaters.

Mask policy: Guests must adhere to local requirements for the use of face coverings.

Seating: Auditorium capacity will be reduced 50%, and each patron will have an empty seat on either side. Showtimes will be staggered to facilitate enhanced cleaning of auditoriums between shows.

Cash or credit cards? Cash will be accepted, but guests are encouraged to purchase tickets and concessions through the Bow Tie mobile app.

Tickets: Online purchase online or via the app. Plexiglass partitions will be in use for those who prefer to pay at the theater.

Concessions: Popcorn, fountain drinks, candy, pretzels, grab and go nachos, hot dogs and limited kitchen items will be available from luxury theater menus. Bar service will be open.

Coming soon: Classic movies ($5 per ticket) are showing until Hollywood resumes new releases.

Movie theaters vs. drive-ins: What a drive-in does (or doesn't) offer

Summer may be ending, but many drive-in movie theaters will be with us through fall.

The nation's big theater chains are cautiously reopening, but not everyone is able to relish the air-conditioned moviegoing experience just yet. States such as New York and California are holding off on indoor theaters for the most part, and not all movie fans are comfortable returning to cinemas during the coronavirus pandemic.

But that shouldn't stop you from seeing "Tenet," "New Mutants, "Unhinged" or any other long-delayed film finally hitting the big screen.

I recently visited a drive-in theater for the first time to see “Peninsula” (the latest film in the “Train to Busan” horror franchise) in the Bay Area, where inside cinemas are still closed. For those of you interested in trying it out, here are a few takeaways from my drive-in experience.

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Pro: Yes, you can see the movie just fine

You are further from the screen when you're sitting in your car in a parking lot, but the drive-in screen is big enough to provide a high-quality viewing experience.

Con: Some movies are harder to see than others

While the screen size wasn't a problem, movies with darker lighting (example: "The Dark Knight") are harder to see than more colorful films (say, "Inside Out") because of surrounding light from other cars or nearby buildings.

Remember going to the movies? 15 things we miss most about theaters

Pro: It's nice to have privacy that you don't get at an indoor theater

While constant chit-chat during a movie is annoying, it's comforting to be able to occasionally add your commentary without disturbing anyone else's viewing experience. The occasional "Whoa, why did he do that?" or "Wait, I don't get what just happened?" is something that would get you shushed at your local indoor theater.

'Tenet':Christopher Nolan's COVID-delayed thriller will screen early to boost movie theaters

Con: While 6 people can fit in most cars, the drive-in experience is better with fewer viewers

The best way to view a drive-in screening is either from the front seat or an open hatchback, so it may be best to avoid placing anyone in the back seats. Even for larger cars, only two or three people can comfortably sit in the trunk.

Pro: You don't have to wear a mask for the entire two hours

Many theater chains such as AMC and Regal Cinemas are mandating that moviegoers keep their masks on during the whole film, but drive-in theaters only obligate face coverings when exiting the vehicle. So sit back, take your mask off and enjoy the show comfortably.

Movies and masks:AMC, the largest movie theater chain, reverses optional face mask policy after public outcry

Con: It's first come, first served for seating

Unlike an indoor movie theater, in which you're often able to reserve specific seats while purchasing tickets, your parking arrangement is usually first come, first served, which may mean you have to arrive an hour early for the best spot.

Pro: Some drive-ins let you bring your own snacks

Say goodbye to overpriced popcorn and soda, as you can sometimes bring your own snack stash to munch on during the movie. Note, though, that certain drive-ins prohibit outside food and drinks, so make sure to check your drive-in's website for details.

Snacks:From banana bread-flavored popcorn to apple chips, kids will give these healthy treats an A+

Con: The bathroom accommodations are less than ideal

Because you're in a parking lot, not all drive-ins have bathrooms. Many offer portable toilets for those who need to use the restroom – which probably isn't your dream scenario. So try not to drink too much!

Pro: Leaving is easy ... just drive off!

Indoor movie theaters have many safety protocols to ensure you leave the theater while following social distancing, such as having moviegoers exit row by row.

Drive-ins eliminate that hassle: Once the movie ends, you're free to just back out of your parking spot and drive on home!

'Unhinged':New Russell Crowe movie gets off to a surprisingly strong start as movie theaters cautiously reopen

Missing movie theaters in quarantine?:Head to drive-ins at Sony Pictures and Walmart

Carolina Cinemas sells to national theater chain Cinemark

Hayley Benton

hbenton@citizen-times.com

Carolina Cinemas announced to its vendors that the luxury theaters owned by the Charlotte-based company will transfer hands to national theater chain Cinemark USA, on Wednesday.

Carolina Cinemas Director of Operations Hope Branch confirmed the transfer of ownership set for March 23, and on Wednesday, the small Carolina theater chain posted about the sale on its Facebook: "The Carolina Asheville has been acquired by Cinemark, a national theatre circuit operating more than 500 movie theatres across the country. We have known the Cinemark folks for many years and have always been impressed with their strong focus on customer service. Under Cinemark's ownership, the theatre will offer the latest technological advances in the movie theatre industry and will continue to provide the absolute best entertainment experience for years to come. ... We sincerely thank you for being our guest and enjoying your entertainment experience with us. We are confident that this will remain your favorite place to enjoy the magic of the movies."

Carolina Cinemas operated four theaters, including The Carolina on Hendersonville Road in South Asheville. Other theaters affected by this change are the Charlotte and Raleigh theaters, as well as the Movies10 theater, in the Charlotte suburb of Matthews. Similar posts went up on the other theaters' pages.

Cinemark owns and operates more than 300 theaters across the country - three of which are located in North Carolina. The company, headquartered in Plano, Texas, owns theaters in Salisbury, Greensboro and Asheboro.

Pending a statement from Cinemark, it's unclear whether any changes will be made to the local theaters, which are known for their unique, "gourmet" menus, selection of local craft beer and wine, sofa-style theater seating and, in Asheville, special showings of art films. In the last few months, however, the national company announced that it added luxury seating to several of its existing Texas theaters -- and, as of October, a Cinemark theater in Colorado now offers an "in-theater dining experience" to its customers. Still no say on the future of art films yet.

Cinemark is the third largest theater chain in the country, with 337 theaters and 4,518 screens across 41 states - and an additional 176 international theaters across 14 countries in Latin America.

Earlier this month, in other theater-related news, AMC Entertainment announced its $1.1 billion acquisition of Carmike Cinemas, pushing AMC ahead of Regal as the largest theater chain in the country.

Big changes coming to movie theaters in Phoenix: Harkins, Touchstar

Things are changing in movies in the Valley this fall — and not just what's on the screen.

A host of changes are underway at several movie theater chains in metro Phoenix. Some of them have new names or ownership, while others are undergoing renovations and closures. Many of the changes were a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which closed theaters completely for a long stretch. The impact was financially devastating on many businesses, movie theaters in particular. No audience meant no income.

Of course, all of this does not affect what you see when you're inside, but in some cases, it will change the way you experience the movies.

Harkins closes its north Phoenix theater as renovations continue

Harkins Theatres has said it will close its North Valley 16 location by the end of 2021.

In making the announcement, Harkins suggested it might open a new location in the area.

“While we are closing this chapter,” the company said in a statement, “stay tuned for exciting information about our future plans for a new state-of-the-art theatre nearby.”

It hasn’t announced what or where that theater will be.

Harkins has been remodeling several of its theaters in recent years. In the last year, the company has finished renovations on its SanTan Village and Arizona Mills locations in the Valley. It is currently renovating its Tempe Marketplace theater.

The company also announced that it will be building its first dine-in theater at Lake Pleasant Towne Center in Peoria — a 40,000-square-foot theater scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2022. Harkins’ website says face coverings are strongly encouraged.

Details: Multiple locations. 2298 E. Williams Field Rd, Gilbert. 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. harkins.com.

Look Dine-In Theaters is coming to Chandler

Look Dine-In Theaters is taking over the theater left empty when Flix Brewhouse Chandler closed for good during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's scheduled to open Oct. 14. The theater offers in-theater and bar dining and drinking. It shows first-run films, and private screenings are available for $199.

Details: 1 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. Lookcinemas.com.

Pass the popcorn:10 must-see movies this fall

Goodbye, Alamo Drafthouse. Hello, Majestic Theaters

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema theaters have a new name in Arizona — Majestic Theaters. Local franchise owners Craig and Kim Paschich, who declared bankruptcy in 2020, reached an agreement to split from the Texas-based Alamo. Now, they'll operate the former Alamo theaters under the new name. Majestic Theaters in Chandler, Gilbert and Tempe are set to open under the new name on Sept. 3.

"If you've been to one of our locations before, it will feel familiar, even if the name has changed," the owners say on the company's website. The company’s website doesn’t list COVID-19 protocols.

Details: Multiple locations. 4955 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. 5478 S. Power Road, Gilbert. 1140 E. Baseline Road, Tempe. majesticphx.com/phoenix/home.

Landmark Theatres replaces the iPic

Landmark Theatres will open in Scottsdale Quarter, the former home of iPic Theatre, which closed in January 2020. The company’s website does not give a specific date for opening.

The California-based Landmark specializes in independent films, operating 220 screens in 23 markets. The dine-in options will disappear, but the Arizona theater will have a concession menu.

"The theatre features plush, luxury recliner seating and concessions will range from all the usual movie theatre snacks to an expanded menu of gourmet items and a full-service bar and lounge," the company's website says. Landmark says on its website that it is tailoring COVID-19 restrictions to local guidelines.

Details: 15257 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. landmarktheatres.com.

Touchstar Cinemas comes to Scottsdale

Touchstar Cinemas, based in Florida, will open in Scottsdale in the Sonora Village shopping center the former location of Studio Movie Grill. The latter closed in 2020 due to the pandemic and never reopened. The company’s website does not list a specific opening date.

Touchstar theaters offer a dine-in option with food delivery to your seat, according to its website. The company’s website doesn’t list COVID-19 protocols.

Details: 15515 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale. touchstarcinemas.com.

Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: @goodyk. Subscribe to the weekly movies newsletter.

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Cineworld, the world's second largest movie theater chain, files for ...

New York CNN Business —

Cineworld Group — the world’s second largest movie theater chain and owner of Regal Cinemas — said Wednesday that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The British company, which owns more than 500 movie theaters across the United States, said that it commenced Chapter 11 proceedings in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas to shed company debt. It also expects the action will “strengthen its balance sheet and provide the financial strength and flexibility to accelerate, and capitalize on, Cineworld’s strategy in the cinema industry.”

The company added that it has access to nearly $2 billion in financing from existing lenders to keep operating. Cineworld also said in the filing that it “expects to operate its global business and cinemas as usual throughout this process.”

The company warned late last month that a voluntary Chapter 11 filing was one of the options it was reviewing to reduce its debt.

“We have an incredible team across Cineworld laser focused on evolving our business to thrive during the comeback of the cinema industry,” Mooky Greidinger, Cineworld’s CEO, said in a statement on Wednesday. “The pandemic was an incredibly difficult time for our business, with the enforced closure of cinemas and huge disruption to film schedules that has led us to this point.”

Greidinger added that the bankruptcy filing is “part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen our financial position and is in pursuit of a de-leveraging that will create a more resilient capital structure and effective business.”

“This will allow us to continue to execute our strategy to reimagine the most immersive cinema experiences for our guests through the latest and most cutting-edge screen formats and enhancements to our flagship theatres,” he added. “Our goal remains to further accelerate our strategy so we can grow our position as the ‘Best Place to Watch a Movie.’”

Like many theaters, Cineworld has struggled during the pandemic, which devastated the industry and is still impacting exhibition. The global health crisis caused theaters around the world to close and the company lost $2.7 billion in 2020 and another $566 million in 2021.

The economics have improved for theaters, but a return to normal is still far off.

The domestic box office rebounded this summer thanks to big hits like “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Jurassic Park: Dominion” as well as smaller hits like “Elvis” and “The Black Phone.” Yet, movie attendance has dried up in recent weeks amid a dearth of new films and supply chain issues hitting Hollywood and many features going straight to streaming.

— Mark Thompson and Anna Cooban contributed reporting.

AMC may sell you popcorn outside of movie theaters | CNN Business

New York CNN Business —

AMC Entertainment, the theater chain and darling of the meme stock crowd, is hoping to profit as more people stay home to watch movies on streaming networks like Netflix and Disney+. How? In the immortal words of NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens: Getcha popcorn ready.

AMC announced last week that it hired a veteran consumer products executive to try to ramp up its business of selling its popcorn at retail stores, not just in theaters.

Ellen Copaken, previously an executive at Pepsi’s (PEP) Frito-Lay snack unit and Twinkies owner Hostess Brands (TWNK), will start at AMC Friday as the company’s vice president of growth strategy. It’s a new position for AMC and Copaken will report to the chief strategy officer, Mark Pearson.

AMC first said in November that it was planning to make a bigger bet on the popcorn business.

CEO Adam Aron told investors on AMC’s earnings conference call that month that the company planned to open up popcorn kiosks at retailers this year to take advantage of the fact that “we have terrific long-standing business relationships with the biggest and best mall operators around.”

Aron added that AMC was in discussions to start selling an AMC-branded line of microwave popcorn and also partner with food delivery services to make its popcorn a take-out option.

AMC said in an email to CNN Business it had no further comment about the Copaken hiring or plans to expand its popcorn business.

But AMC’s decision to go all-in on popcorn outside the theater is a bold call. In some respects, it’s an admission that the movie industry has fundamentally changed.

Although viewers are still willing to go out to see big blockbusters like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” in theaters, the combination of the pandemic and an abundance of streaming options have led to a change in consumer habits.

More to AMC than big screens at the multiplex

AMC, to its credit, is trying to adapt to this new reality. In addition to its popcorn plans, the company also announced in November that it hopes to profit from strong demand for cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), the digital assets which have taken the collectibles world by storm.

“This is the 21st century after all, and it would seem that there may be a real opportunity for AMC in these areas,” Aron said.

Aron noted that the company is looking into partnerships that would let it accept cryptocurrencies as payment for movie tickets and concession stand items. AMC is even thinking about launching its own cryptocurrency.

Aron added that the theater chain is “in conversation with multiple major Hollywood studios about the concept of joint venturing commemorative NFTs related to major film titles that show in our theaters.”

These are some of the reasons why investors, particularly meme stock fans on Reddit, have fallen in love with AMC. They appreciate that Aron is thinking outside the (popcorn) box.

Shares of AMC soared nearly 1,200% last year while the stocks of rivals Cinemark (CNK), IMAX (IMAX) and UK-based Regal and United Artists owner Cineworld all fell.

But it’s a different story this year. AMC, along with other meme stocks such as GameStop (GME), have fallen out of favor. AMC is down 25% so far in 2022 while the other three movie theater stocks have rallied.

AMC still faces many challenges. Even though revenue is expected to nearly double in 2022, analysts are forecasting that the company will lose money again after racking up red ink in 2020 and 2021. (AMC reported a preliminary net loss for the fourth quarter of 2021 earlier this month.)

It’s also not certain that AMC will be able to make a huge dent in the retail popcorn market.

The company faces formidable competition from consumer product giants who have established relationships with grocery stores. Campbell Soup (CPB) owns Pop Secret while ConAgra (CAG) is the parent company of Orville Redenbacher, stove top favorite Jiffy Pop and microwave brand Act II.

Analysts aren’t fans of the stock either. According to Refinitiv, three analysts have AMC rated a hold and six are recommending a sell. No analysts surveyed have a buy on the stock and the consensus price target is about $10.45 a share, nearly 50% below current levels.

But it may be a mistake to count AMC out. An army of individual investors still love to rankle Wall Street pros and short sellers who bet against the stock.

In a first, Netflix's 'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery' will play in ...

New York CNN Business —

Netflix is going to the movies, but only for a week.

“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” the new whodunit starring Daniel Craig, will debut at the three major US theater chains — AMC, Regal and Cinemark — for a week one month before it streams on Netflix, the company announced on Thursday. “Glass Onion” will be the first film to ever to do so, according to the streaming giant.

The sequel to the 2019 hit “Knives Out” will play in 600 theaters in the United States from November 23 to 29 before debuting on Netflix (NFLX) globally on December 23.

The news is notable given the fraught relationship between theaters and Netflix in the past. While some of the streamer’s films have played in theaters, most major chains have balked at putting Netflix’s films on the big screen since the two sides could never agree on how long a film should play exclusively in theaters.

The move to put “Glass Onion” in theaters, even for just a week, is a win for both sides.

For Netflix, theaters will likely help turn the film into an event, with the potential of giving it far more cultural relevancy than if it just played in homes. It can also build word of mouth for the movie, which has gotten rave reviews after premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival last month.

The film would play only for a week in theaters, but it’s an *exclusive* week. If you want to see “Glass Onion,” a month early you’ll have to buy a ticket, which could bring in more foot traffic and boost concession sales to theaters.

“We’re excited to offer fans an exclusive sneak preview of Rian’s incredible film,” Scott Stuber, Netflix’s head of global film said in a statement on Thursday. “Given the excitement surrounding the premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, we hope fans will enjoy this special theatrical event in celebration of the film’s global debut on Netflix in December.”

Director Rian Johnson added that he is “over the moon that Netflix has worked with AMC, Regal and Cinemark to get Glass Onion in theaters for this one-of-a-kind sneak preview.”

“These movies are made to thrill audiences, and I can’t wait to feel the energy of the crowd as they experience ‘Glass Onion,’” he said. “Between this and the release on Netflix in December, I’m excited that audiences around the world will be able to enjoy the film.”

Tickets go on sale on October 10.

It’s not clear if this is a one-time only arrangement or a first step for theaters and Netflix.

If it’s the latter, it could help both sides. Netflix, which has had a rough year, could use theaters’ help in giving its films greater impact and an additional revenue stream while theaters, which had a solid summer at the box office before seeing its slate dry up in the last few months, could use more movies.

Industries hit hardest by coronavirus in the US include retail ...

Grant Suneson

24/7 Wall Street

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, which has been designated a global pandemic by the World Health Organization, is having a devastating impact on the U.S. economy. After peaking at 29,000 in February, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell below 21,000 by mid-March – a nearly 30% drop. On March 16, the Dow fell by nearly 3,000 points, the largest single-day drop in history.

As the U.S. tries to stem the spread of the virus and contain the outbreak, life is slowly grinding to a halt – and with it much of the economy. While all industries have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, some bear the brunt of the downturn much more than others. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed industry publications and data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the U.S. industries being devastated most by the outbreak.

The restaurant industry is one of the most exposed industries to major upheaval as a result of the pandemic, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended avoiding groups of over 50 people. Some cities and states have told restaurants to switch to takeout only. Millions of jobs in the sector could either be lost or severely impacted by the outbreak.

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Some American workers have already been laid off or furloughed, and more job cuts are likely. As people start to socially distance themselves, those in white collar jobs will more easily be able to work from home, while hourly workers in sectors like hospitality and retail may be let go as their companies get less business. This further jeopardizes some of the least financially secure workers in the country – jobs in these fields are often part-time and typically pay low wages.

Gambling

Much of the nation's $261 billion casino gaming industry has been shuttered because of measures taken to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Casinos in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and other major gaming destinations have been closed, and some staff members have been furloughed or laid off. All casinos in Massachusetts and Illinois were ordered to close for two weeks, and Maryland's casinos, racetracks, and other betting facilities were ordered to close indefinitely.

The novel coronavirus also hit the U.S. just before the beginning of one of the industry's biggest events – the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. During the 2019 tournament, Americans wagered an estimated $8.5 billion on games. With the NBA, NHL, European soccer, and nearly every other major sporting event canceled for the foreseeable future, the sports betting industry has essentially dried up.

Sports books in Las Vegas typically handle $500 million worth of bets in a given month. Though some UFC events are still ongoing as of March 16, Joe Asher, CEO of sports bookmaker William Hill, told Sports Illustrated that the entire sports betting industry will have "pretty much zero revenue" until sporting events resume. This could take at least six weeks.

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Airlines

The airline industry will likely be especially hard hit by the pandemic, as international and even domestic flights are restricted. The International Air Transport Association projected that the U.S. and Canadian airline industry could lose as much as $21.1 billion in revenue. The worldwide industry could see a decline in passenger revenue of nearly 20% under the extensive spread scenario, which would result in an estimated $113 billion in lost revenue. The CAPA - Centre for Aviation said most airlines in the world will likely go bankrupt by the end of May 2020.

United Airlines said it was bracing for a $1.5 billion revenue drop in March 2020 compared to March 2019. It also plans to cut capacity in half for April and May. Other U.S. airlines are planning similar actions, as well as freezing hiring and asking employees to take unpaid leave. In what may be a sign of things to come, Norwegian Airlines laid off 90% of staff on March 16. As of 2018, there were over 445,000 workers in the airline industry. A group representing many of the country's largest airlines asked the government for $25 billion in grants and $25 billion in low or no-interest loans.

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Hotels

The U.S. hotel industry employs over 1.6 million Americans, making it the ninth-largest sector in the U.S. in terms of total workers. But as people have stayed home, demand for hotels has declined sharply. In the first week of March, there was an 11.6% decline in revenue per room available in U.S. hotels compared to the same week of 2019, according to hotel research firm STR.

In response, hotels in New York City, Seattle, Knoxville, Tennessee, and more have begun to lay off dozens of workers. Hotel workers in major tourist destinations have been told to brace for job losses as well. The hotel chain Marriott just announced plans to lay off tens of thousands of workers. Industry groups urged Congress to pass a supplemental aid package to help hotels through the pandemic.

Movie theaters

It's been some time now that health officials nationwide have urged social distancing, and movie theaters felt the impact of that recommendation. Now that the CDC has requested that Americans avoid gathering in groups of 50 or more, movie theaters have no choice but close down. U.S. box office revenue for the weekend of March 13-15 came in at just over $54 million, the lowest since September 2000. For context, no weekend box office in 2020 pulled in less than $80 million.

The effects could stretch for months, as blockbusters like "Mulan," "A Quiet Place Part II," "Fast 9," and the latest James Bond film, "No Time to Die," were slated to be released in the coming weeks, but all these releases were pushed back. Over 100 theaters have closed, and more are expected to follow suit. Major theater chain AMC has announced the closure of all U.S. theaters. Regal announced it would close all of its theaters until further notice, more than 500 in total, leaving over 25,000 employees without work.

Live sports

The postponement or suspension of sports leagues like the NBA, NHL, XFL, and more have created a huge vacuum not just for the leagues and players, but also the wide-ranging ecosystem that has cropped up around them. FiveThirtyEight estimates that, since about 21% of the NBA season remained when games were halted, the league stands to lose $350 million-$450 million from ticket sales alone if those games are not played – and that does not even include lost playoff revenues.

The league could also lose up to $200 million in non-ticket revenue, from sources like parking, concessions, merchandise, and more. Still, many NBA franchises – along with their owners and star players – have committed millions of dollars to ensure that arena staff hourly workers are paid during the pandemic. There are an estimated 300 staff workers in a 20,000-seat arena, like those that host NBA games.

The NHL does not make as much as the NBA but could lose a larger share of its expected yearly revenue. Because the league does not draw as many TV viewers, it relies more heavily on ticket sales. The MLB could be affected as well, as it will not begin games until mid-May, at the earliest.

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Cruises

After a luxury Diamond Princess ship became the first large outbreak cluster outside China, with at least 634 confirmed COVID-19 infections among passengers and crew and two deaths, the cruise industry has taken a huge hit. More recently, a Grand Princess cruise docking in Oakland resulted in 28 cases of the disease. As of March 16, there were at least seven cruise ships in limbo because passengers tested positive or were showing symptoms of the virus and no country was willing to take them in.

Shares of three major cruise companies – Royal Caribbean, Carnival Corp., and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings – dropped over 50% in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Industry group Cruise Lines International Association said the cruise industry contributes $53 billion to the U.S. economy every year. The White House has made clear it intends to help the industry weather the financial difficulty with some sort of relief bill.

Shipping

A supply management survey found that three out of every four American businesses experienced a disruption to some part of their supply line due to the irregularities in the shipping industry stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. China is one of the world's foremost shipping hubs, but COVID-19 has forced the country to close ports and send factory workers home. The International Chamber of Shipping said the pandemic has cost the worldwide industry around $350 million per week.

The outbreak has affected everyone in this highly globalized industry, and Americans are no exception. In January, North American transport volume was down 9.4% compared to the same month of 2019. There are over 225,000 Americans working in the freight transportation industry, and the disruption has jeopardized over billions in wages for these workers.

Film production

Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks announced that he tested positive for the coronavirus. Consequently, production of the film he was shooting at the time was shut down. Hanks' film was one of a dozens of films and TV shows that halted production – either out of caution or because a cast or crew member had symptoms, tested positive, or came into contact with someone who did. These films likely would have likely contributed billions of dollars to the U.S. box office and economy in other ways.

Each time a production shuts down, it puts hundreds of crew members and cast out of work. Movies often have well over 500 crew members, including drivers, lighting technicians, directors, production assistants, camera operators, and more. Some of the larger films that have extensive visual effects have thousands of people credited. There are over 220,000 Americans working in the film production industry.

Automakers

As the COVID-19 pandemic lingers, the demand for cars is decreasing. Workers who are concerned about their job security and try to save their money for emergency use are less likely to buy a car. This jeopardizes the jobs of the nearly 1.3 million Americans who work in new and used car dealerships. Researchers have predicted that American auto sales could decline year-over-year by as much as 20% in 2020. The shares of General Motors, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler have all lost over 25% of their value since the beginning of March.

Automakers have also faced serious supply chain disruptions as parts imports from China have become much more difficult as the country grapples with the disease. Four out of every five cars made in the world rely on parts manufactured in China.

Oil and gas

As people continue to work from home and avoid travel, the demand for oil and gas has plummeted. The International Energy Agency projects a decline in demand of 90,000 barrels of oil in 2020 compared to 2019. Prior to the pandemic, the IEA projected an increase in demand of over 800,000 barrels. The effects on the oil industry have been especially dire because China, the world's top energy consumer, was the first to be hit as the source of the outbreak. The price of oil has been in an unprecedented freefall, selling for under $30 per barrel as of March 16.

Retail

The U.S. retail industry has been devastated by the coronavirus outbreak, and a number of stores have already had to close their doors. Apple has closed all stores outside of China until at least March 27, and other major retailers in fashion, sporting goods stores, and tech have made similar announcements, with more coming in every day.

Urban Outfitters, Nike, and other companies have announced plans to pay workers at least in the short term for lost wages. This is good news for the employees, many of whom are among the lowest-paid American workers, but it will, of course, mean the companies' bottom lines will take a hit. One Jefferies analyst told CNBC, "With stores accounting for 75% of sales for most retailers, we anticipate massive EPS [earnings per share] declines for 1Q, especially as most retailers appear to be paying employees during the 2 week closures."

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Tech

Many Chinese factories in locked-down areas have closed operations since late January. This has had a major impact on the ability of many American tech companies to continue producing their products regularly. Production of video game consoles, smartphones, and smartwatches are all predicted to drop by over 10%. Apple could lose as much as $67 billion because of an iPhone shortage. Graphics card producer Nvidia lowered its projected earnings for the first quarter of 2020 by $100 million, saying the pandemic is disrupting its supply chain.

Apple, Samsung, and Google all closed corporate offices and factories in China. Many major tech companies are headquartered in and around Seattle – one of the areas hardest hit by the virus. Microsoft said it would continue to pay its 4,500 hourly employees, even as it sent many workers home.

Conventions

As mass gatherings of people have been declared unsafe, many of the massive conventions that draw thousands of attendees from across the globe have been canceled. The cancellations of tech conferences like E3, SXSW, and more have likely cost local economies over $1.1 billion. In 2019 alone, SXSW's full-time and seasonal workers had an economic impact of over $150 million on the Austin, Texas, economy, according to consulting firm Greyhill Advisors and SXSW.

The cancellation of the E3 conference has also cost the video game industry its biggest week of the year. New games and consoles are often unveiled at the event, which usually hosts over 65,000 guests a year. Facebook and Google also had to scrap their own conventions. This moratorium on large gatherings could devastate the 55,000-person industry of convention and trade show organizers in the U.S.

Food service

Between full- and limited-service restaurants, caterers, buffets, and more, well over 10 million Americans work in the food service industry. Major cities have ordered restaurants to only offer takeout options as a preventive measure. This could jeopardize billions in wages for employees, many of whom are hourly workers. Chinese restaurants have been particularly hard hit over unfounded stigmas related to the outbreak.

Nation's Restaurant News reported that in Seattle, restaurants were expected to lose 20% of sales in the first week of March. By March 16, a dozen states had imposed restrictions on restaurants hosting dine-in customers. On the weekend of March 14, restaurants in most of America's major cities reported a decline in occupancy of anywhere from 30%-64%. Research firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported that over 600 food service industry job cuts were directly related to the pandemic, and that 7.4 million jobs in the sector could either be cut or severely impacted.

Theme parks

Large theme parks have stopped welcoming guests in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, closing a massive industry for the foreseeable future. Disney is by far the largest theme park operator in the world, with six parks – all of which were shuttered initially as the outbreak spread. Disney reported over $26.2 billion revenue from its parks in fiscal 2019. Dividing this evenly throughout the year would mean the company could lose revenue of around $500 million per week that its parks were closed, assuming the same earnings this year.

Other prominent parks have been affected as well. All SeaWorld parks are closed; Six Flags temporarily closed 10 of its parks; and Universal Studios closed its Orlando and Hollywood parks through the end of March. Nationwide, there are nearly 200,000 people who work at theme parks, many of whom could be out of work throughout the worst of the coronavirus outbreak.

Gyms

Gyms were already facing challenges from home exercise companies like Peloton, and social distancing recommendations and the fear of the spread of the coronavirus have further added to the challenges large gyms and group fitness classes face. Gyms and boutique fitness classes have ballooned into a $94 billion industry that is now in jeopardy.

Equinox had to close its gyms in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, and Barry's Bootcamp cut capacity in half. In Los Angeles, the mayor ordered all gyms to be closed. Gold's Gym and Orangetheory shuttered all corporate-owned locations. Planet Fitness stock lost 48% of its market value.

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Construction

As the coronavirus devastates the U.S. economy, companies will likely pull back on expansion, leaving a huge gap in the construction industry. Two large airlines, Delta and United, each announced plans to reduce capital investment by $2 billion each as a result of the pandemic's economic impact. Companies in many other sectors are expected to follow suit.

Smaller construction companies may have to lay off workers as their supply of equipment and parts from China is disrupted. There are an estimated 7.6 million Americans working in the construction sector who could be affected by these changes.

Transportation

With Americans working from home and staying in instead of visiting bars and restaurants, ride sharing companies like Uber and Lyft are seeing their potential ridership dissipate. Both companies announced they would stop letting different users share the same car.

Uber has pledged financial assistance to drivers who are quarantined and not able to work, though this would likely not impact most of the estimated 900,000 U.S. drivers. Many drivers are reporting 50% declines in income as fewer people use ride sharing services. Uber's stock has also cratered, going from over $40 per share in February to less than $19 as of March 17.

24/7 Wall Street is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news and commentary. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

Blog Recap: Coronavirus updates from around Wisconsin on Sunday

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Updates on coronavirus and how it's affecting life in Wisconsin from reporters from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the USA Today Network-Wisconsin.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 15

9:50 p.m. Colectivo selling food and beverages only 'to-go'

One of metro Milwaukee's popular coffee cafes, Colectivo, is closing all of it's in-cafe seating areas and selling food and beverages only "to-go" starting Monday.

Transactions for all take-out service will be cashless and touchless. Payment will be accepted by credit card, Apple Pay or the Colectivo app. There will be no swiping of Colectivo loyalty cards. Instead points can be gained through the app or by requesting a receipt and contacting the company later.

There are 13 Colectivo locations in southeastern Wisconsin.

- Meg Jones

9:40 p.m. Advocate Aurora Health hospitals and clinics adopt no-visitor policy

To prevent the spread of coronavirus, Advocate Aurora Health is restricting visitors from inpatient areas with a few exceptions.

The health care nonprofit serves nearly 3 million patients each year in Wisconsin and Illinois including hospitals and clinics in the metro Milwaukee area.

Sunday night Advocate Aurora Health issued new guidelines for its hospitals and clinics starting on Monday. No visitors will be allowed in any inpatient areas until further notice.

Exceptions include pediatric caregivers, partners and midwives of mothers in labor, end of life situations, companions for people in emergency departments and outpatient areas and professionals assigned to assist with procedures.

Visitors who meet those exceptions must pass health screenings at checkpoints in the medical facilities.

- Meg Jones

9:20 p.m. Green Bay suspends public transit

Green Bay is suspending all public transportation starting Monday until further notice.

Paratransit services will remain available for "all medically necessary trips," according to Green Bay Metro. Those riders should call 920-448-3185 to schedule trips.

Mayor Eric Genrich called the decision difficult in a Facebook post but said he believes it's the right move as officials emphasize social distancing and work to contain the spread of COVID-19. Genrich encouraged residents to help each other, particularly those who use public transit or are otherwise in need.

- Haley BeMiller

8:45p.m. CDC recommending 8-week ban on events with more than 50 people

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending an eight-week ban on events with 50 or more people.

New guidance issued Sunday night calls for organizers to cancel or postpone mass gatherings to include "conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies."

The recommendations do not apply to schools or businesses, the CDC noted.

That could mean severely abbreviated seasons for sports leagues and myriad events ranging from music festivals to weddings planned a year or more in advance.

8:15 p.m. Wauwatosa resident tests positive for coronavirus

A Wauwatosa resident who recently returned home from international travel has tested positive for coronavirus, the city's Health Department said Sunday evening.

When the person returned to the U.S. and experienced symptoms consistent with exposure to COVID-19, they went to a Milwaukee area hospital for testing. After the test, the person returned home and has remained under self-quarantine.

Wauwatosa Health Department officials are working to identify anyone who had close contact with the person so they can be monitored.

- Meg Jones

6:20 p.m. Almost one third of Wisconsin cases in Fond du Lac County

Almost one third of Wisconsin’s coronavirus cases are in Fond du Lac County, nine of which are linked to an Egyptian river cruise.

Fond du Lac County health officials said Sunday morning the county had five new positive coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 11. The state of Wisconsin has had 33 positive cases.

Four of the new cases announced Sunday were tied to an Egyptian river cruise, which had 22 people on board a small boat, not all of whom were from Wisconsin.

In Wood County, one person has tested positive after returning recently from a cruise. It was unclear whether that person was on the same Egyptian river cruise.

The Wood County Health Department is investigating how the person got infected and who had close contact with them to follow up with monitoring of those individuals.

-Benita Mathew, Fond du Lac Reporter

3:30 p.m. No cash payments for Illinois toll road

Folks traveling on the Illinois Tollway will not be able to pay with cash, only online or with an I-PASS, until further notice.

Over the weekend Illinois Tollway announced that it is temporarily implementing all-electronic tolling to limit the spread of coronavirus to travelers and tollway employees.

Toll collection will be entirely handled via I-PASS, E-ZPASS and through the Tollway's online payment portal.

Travelers who don’t have an I-PASS can either buy one at a Jewel-Osco store in Illinois or pay online. Don’t try to purchase one at Illinois Tollway customer service centers at oases because they’re now closed.

Tolls can be paid online at illinoistollway.com. I-PASS customers can manage their accounts online - getipass.com

Because of an expected higher than normal call volume due to the changes, Illinois Tollway officials encourage customers to pay missed tolls online and manage their I-PASS accounts.

- Meg Jones

2:58 p.m. Number of Wisconsin cases hits 33, including 5 in Fond du Lac

The number of positive coronavirus cases in Wisconsin grew to 33 on Sunday according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

That is up from 27 positive cases on Saturday.

The DHS numbers include five news cases that Fond du Lac County reported Sunday morning before the state department updated its count online just before 3 p.m.

This sixth new case of coronavirus in Wisconsin is from an individual in Milwaukee County, which currently has seven positive coronavirus cases.

The count also includes one person who has since recovered from the disease in Dane County.

- Jordyn Noennig

1:55 p.m. Pick 'n Save, Walmart to reduce hours

Milwaukee-area stores are reducing hours to have time to replenish shelves as customers continuously deplete stores from items like toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

Customers have been rushing to local stores to buy staples as the number of cases of coronavirus grow in Wisconsin. As of Sunday there were 32 confirmed cases within the state.

Wisconsin Kroger stores like Pick 'n Save and Metro Market will close at 10 p.m., effective immediately, in order to clean and replenish shelves, according to a statement from the grocery chain.

Many store closing times were at 10 p.m. but a few Pick 'n Save stores in Milwaukee usually close at 11 p.m.

Walmart also will be reducing time open at stores that were previously open 24 hours.

-Jordyn Noennig

10:37 a.m. Milwaukee, Waukesha Courts close for 3 to 6 weeks

Courts in the area will be virtually closed starting Monday for three to six weeks.

Milwaukee and Waukesha county circuit courts as well as federal courts have postponed nearly all in-person events and hearings. Some that can be done be phone of video conferencing will proceed as scheduled, but no one need report for jury duty.

In an eight-page order Saturday, Milwaukee County Chief Judge Mary Triggiano listed numerous steps that will effectively close most courts to normal business until April 3, and some until April 30, as part of the wide-ranging efforts to thwart the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Waukesha County’s circuit judges signed issued nearly the same order Sunday, though it extends to April 12.

Matters not suspended include: Placement hearings for children in protective services or delinquency actions, mental health commitment hearings, initial appearances for jailed defendants, bench trials for jailed defendants and hearings on petitions for domestic violence, harassment and child abuse injunctions.

Civil and probate cases are suspended until April 30, except for matters that can be addressed by phone. Any appearance in a small claims case is suspended until April. Weddings scheduled for the courthouse before April 3 are also canceled.

In Milwaukee County, anyone arrested on most misdemeanors will not be booked at the jail and will instead be ordered to appear at intake court after April 3.

In addition, face-to-face contact and drug testing through JusticePoint are canceled in favor of telephone supervision.

"These guidelines are in place to assure the continuous performance of the courts' essential functions and operations yet seek to minimize the exposure and further spread of the virus," Triggiano wrote.

Federal courts for the Eastern District of Wisconsin late Friday announced they are drastically reducing in-person activity until May, postponing all jury trials, sentencings, revocation hearings and naturalization ceremonies.

Chief U.S. District Judge Pamela Pepper signed the order, citing the quickly changing assessment of the seriousness of public health threats posed by the COVID-19 virus.

The downtown Milwaukee courthouse will remain open, she said, but tasks from search warrant reviews to initial appearances will be done electronically. Judges will continue ruling on written pleadings.

Dane County was the first to announce major courthouse restrictions last week. Other counties are expected to adopt variations on the restrictions soon. Check you county's Clerk of Courts website.

- Bruce Vielmetti

SATURDAY, MARCH 14

7:34 p.m.: Milwaukee Public Schools say employee has virus

One of Milwaukee's coronavirus cases is a Milwaukee Public Schools employee at Hopkins-Lloyd Community School, the school district confirmed Saturday.

The Milwaukee Health Department is still awaiting a confirmed test about the individual from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but health officials believe the presumptive results are actionable, the district said in a news release.

The patient is an adult who is under medical supervision, the release said, and health officials are following up with anyone who may have had contact with the individual.

“The Milwaukee Board of School Directors are working diligently to make sure families are fully informed regarding this matter," said school board President Larry Miller. "We will continue to work with the administration and all agencies to keep families and staff informed as updates become available.”

- Elliot Hughes

6:17 p.m.: Milwaukee Public Museum and Milwaukee Art Museum close

The Milwaukee Public Museum and the Milwaukee Art Museum announced Saturday they will close to the public, effective immediately.

The public museum will stay closed until further notice, while the art museum set April 7 as a tentative reopening date. All events scheduled at the art museum through April 14 will be canceled, however.

- Elliot Hughes

5:36 p.m.: City of Franklin confirms a case

Of the four new confirmed cases of coronavirus announced in Milwaukee County on Saturday, one of them is in Franklin, the city confirmed in a press release.

The individual had recently returned from travel and learned they may have been exposed to the virus. The individual has remained at home in isolation after receiving testing, the release said.

The city's health department is following up on any contacts the infected person had prior to their isolation.

- Elliot Hughes

3:12 p.m. Eight new cases in Wisconsin including 4 in Milwaukee County

Wisconsin's confirmed cases of coronavirus increased by eight Saturday, including four new cases in Milwaukee County.

Saturday's update comes after a week in which the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic set in many places around the U.S., including Wisconsin.

Confirmed cases in Wisconsin included six in Milwaukee County, six in Fond du Lac County, six in Dane County, three in Sheboygan and Waukesha counties and one each in Winnebago, Racine and Pierce counties.

- Matt Piper

1:40 p.m.: Milwaukee County closes zoo and county parks buildings

The Milwaukee County Zoo is closing immediately, County Executive Chris Abele said Saturday. He said Milwaukee County Parks facilities and Milwaukee County Senior Centers will also be closed to the public until further notice.

“The health and safety of Milwaukee County residents and visitors is our top priority, so we must continue to put our full weight behind ensuring we are prepared for COVID-19,” Abele said. “Closing our large public facilities is the best way to serve our residents and protect our community at this time, and we look forward to re-opening as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Outdoor park facilities are open, according to the statement. Milwaukee County Parks public venues will close until further notice and public events, rentals and programs scheduled to be held at these venues have also been canceled. Closed facilities include Mitchell Park Domes, Noyes Indoor Pool, Pulaski Indoor Pool, King Community Center, Kosciusko Community Center, Milwaukee County Sports Complex, Wehr Nature Center visitor center, Boerner Botanical Gardens Visitor Center, Wilson Recreation Center & Ice Arena, and Wil-O-Way facilities at Grant and Underwood.

- Mary Spicuzza

12:31 p.m.: Every Buck on the roster donates to help arena's hourly workers

By Saturday morning everyone on the Milwaukee Bucks roster had joined the cause of making sure the 1,000-plus hourly workers at Fiserv Forum are taken care of during the NBA's hiatus. Those contributions will be matched by the organization to create a fund to pay workers during what will be at least a 30-day period without NBA games, a stretch that includes about 10 postponed home games.

- More from Matt Velazquez

8:52 a.m.: Despite Trump's support all Wisconsin GOP members vote against economic relief bill

Wisconsin Republicans were some of the few members of Congress to vote against a bill to provide economic relief to Americans affected by coronavirus, which the House overwhelmingly passed early Saturday. The vote came after President Donald Trump said he would support the sweeping measure.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was adopted 363-40, with every Democrat and most Republicans voting in favor of the measure. The vote, which was taken shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday, followed two days of negotiations between Democratic leaders and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.

“I fully support H.R. 6201: Families First CoronaVirus Response Act, which will be voted on in the House this evening. This Bill will follow my direction for free CoronaVirus tests, and paid sick leave for our impacted American workers,” Trump tweeted Friday.

Despite Trump's support, all of Wisconsin's Republican congressmen voted against the measure. That includes Mike Gallagher, Glenn Grothman, Jim Sensenbrenner and Bryan Steil.

The bill now heads to the Senate for an expected vote Monday.

- Mary Spicuzza

8:04 a.m., March 14: Homeless shelters need cleaning supplies

As human nature to hoard safety supplies amid the COVID-19 pandemic may arise, homeless shelters are asking Milwaukee-area residents to please consider sharing cleaning and sanitation products.

The Rescue Mission, which provides shelter to 300 people and serves more than 1,200 meals a day, has suspended volunteer activities and donations of home-made food items and is asking the public to help instead by donating soap, disposable gloves, disinfectants, face masks, bleach and hand sanitizer.

Rescue Mission president Patrick Vanderburgh, said the shelter is stepping up sanitation measures and expects to run thin on supplies. In a note on the agency’s website, Vanderburg also urged those wanting to give to use their discretion.

“We understand and appreciate your eagerness to help, but we encourage you to consider your own health before making an in-person donation.”

Vanderburg also asked for prayers.

“Know that we are also praying for you. Know that God is in control and that we can continue to trust in him, as he has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:4 NIV),” he wrote. “Strengthened by God’s promises, we can encourage and comfort one another to remain fearless in the face of danger, and joyful in spite of uncertainty.”

Sojourner Family Peace Center, too, is increasing cleaning procedures and also limiting business travel by employees. The agency, which provides shelter and services for those affected by domestic violence, said it will not turn away clients

“Sojourner will not deny safety and support services based on an individual’s health status, Carmen Pitre, president and CEO wrote in a statement.

And that: “We are committed to safeguarding staff, visitors and clients from illness.”

Pitre said the agency will not be changing hours of operation unless ordered to do so by the health department.

“This unprecedented event is already having a significant impact on our economy and the nonprofit community,” Pitre wrote. “Sojourner’s clients are at a higher risk of contracting widespread illnesses. Consider making a gift to help us serve our clients during this difficult time.”

- Raquel Rutledge

FRIDAY, MARCH 13

10 p.m.: Waukesha County Jail suspends visitation

The Waukesha County Sheriff's Office announced Friday night that it was suspending visitation at the county jail starting Monday.

The only exceptions are for professional/attorney visits, it said.

The move was being made "to protect the health and wellbeing of all who live, work at, and visit the Waukesha County Jail," the sheriff's office said in a news release.

There are 480 jail inmates and 147 jail staff members, the sheriff's office said.

— Ricardo Torres

9 p.m.: State says prices may rise with high demand

It's common for prices of consumer goods to increase during times of high demand, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection said.

But the rises should be "reasonable," according to a state statute that went into effect with Gov. Tony Evers' public health emergency declaration.

"Often, when demand for specific products is extremely high, or supplies are limited, prices will rise. This can be frustrating, and consumers may feel like they are being taken advantage of," the department said in a statement.

Generally, the price increases are legitimate because the sellers' costs go up too, the department said.

But anyone worried about price gouging should contact the state's consumer protection hotline: DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov or (800) 422-7128.

— Sophie Carson

8 p.m.: Downtown Milwaukee employee is a COVID-19 patient

A worker at 330 Kilbourn, a large downtown Milwaukee office building, has tested positive for coronavirus, the property manager said Friday.

The worker has been in self-quarantine since testing positive for COVID-19, property manager Sherry King wrote in an email to tenants.

King said the Milwaukee Health Department has been notified, and that property managers are “undertaking deep cleaning measures in the tenant space and all common spaces in the building to ensure the safest possible working environment.”

There are no plans to close the building, she said.

“We have been advised by the health department that no closures are necessary,” she wrote. “They find the case very low risk since the individual is exhibiting no symptoms and that they were not within the CDC guidelines for exposure risk.”

It was not immediately clear where the worker resides.

— Mary Spicuzza

7:30 p.m.: Milwaukee's first coronavirus case confirmed

The Milwaukee Health Department on Friday evening confirmed the city's first coronavirus case in a resident who was a close contact to someone with a confirmed case.

The resident is a woman between 30 and 35 years old. She is currently isolating at home, according to the Health Department.

The Health Department is working to identify and contact everyone she may have been in contact with, and people who had close contact with her will be quarantined for 14 days from the time they were exposed and monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms, according to the department.

“MHD is awaiting confirmatory testing from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but health officials consider the presumptive results actionable,” the department said in a statement.

Milwaukee Health Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik is assuming the responsibility for the coronavirus response for both the city and the county.

— Alison Dirr

5:30 p.m.: Racine County Jail limits inmates to violent offenders

The Racine County Jail is limiting the number of inmates it accepts amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The jail will only accept people arrested on violent felonies and misdemeanors, Sheriff Chris Schmaling said in a news release. Anyone else arrested will be told to appear at a mandatory court date.

"I firmly believe with these proactive steps, we will keep our law enforcement professionals healthy while continuing to protect our most valuable asset, our community," Schmaling said.

— Sophie Carson

5:12 p.m.: North Shore patient was exposed to virus while in Europe

Health department officials shared more details in a news conference about a male COVID-19 patient who lives on the North Shore.

Health Officer Ann Christiansen would not name the community in which the man resides. But she did say the man returned home from travel in Europe, learned he was exposed while abroad and then developed symptoms of the virus.

Within three days, he went to a local hospital for a test, which today came back positive.

"Based on the actions of this individual, we're confident that the risk to the community is low," Christiansen said.

The man did not have any connections to area school districts, Christiansen said. The North Shore Health Department is working to create a list of people the patient came into contact with. The list is expected to be short, she said, containing only immediate family members.

The man is one of two coronavirus patients in Milwaukee County.

Read more here.

— Sophie Carson

5 p.m.: State says nursing home visits should be limited

In an effort to protect nursing home residents from the coronavirus, visits to the facilities should be largely limited to "end of life situations or when a visitor is essential for the resident’s emotional well-being and care," according to state guidelines issued late Friday.

"Older and medically vulnerable adults have significantly increased risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19, necessitating that we take all reasonable efforts to prevent introduction of this infectious disease into residential care facilities," Division of Public Health Administrator Jeanne Ayers wrote in the four-page memo. The guidelines were sent to local and tribal health care officers, health care providers and long-term and assisted living facilities statewide.

Other recommendations by Ayer include screening all visitors to the facilities including health care workers, consultants and family members; ban visitors who show symptoms of coronavirus; make hygiene supplies such as masks, tissues and hand sanitizer available and do not allow employees who show "signs and symptoms of a respiratory infection" to work.

If an employee shows symptoms of a respiratory infection while on the job, they should "immediately stop work, put on a facemask and self-isolate at home," Ayers wrote, adding the local health department should be notified.

— Cary Spivak

4:50 p.m.: Evers closes all public, private schools

Gov. Tony Evers directed the Department of Health Services to issue an order mandating the closure of all K-12 Wisconsin schools, both public and private.

“Closing our schools is not a decision I made lightly, but keeping our kids, our educators, our families, and our communities safe is a top priority as we continue to work to respond to and prevent further spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin,” Evers said.

The mandated closure will begin on Wednesday, March 18.

Read the full story here.

— Evan Casey

4:29 p.m. UW-Madison announces employee has been diagnosed with coronavirus

UW-Madison said in a news release Friday afternoon that an employee who works in the School of Veterinary Medicine building was diagnosed with COVID-19 after traveling to a country with widespread transmission of the disease.

Non-essential employees who work in that building were asked Friday afternoon to go home and monitor themselves for symptoms.

The affected employee is isolated at home, the news release said, and will be asked to monitor symptoms while Dane County Public Health tries to identify close contacts.

— Matt Piper

4:20 p.m.: UW-Madison creates student support fund

UW-Madison created an emergency support fund to help students in difficult financial situations as a result of the coronavirus.

"We understand that these rapid changes may result in a multitude of complications for students and families, particularly for those who are financially vulnerable," a statement from the school reads.

"Many of our students will have unexpected travel costs, limited opportunities to work and earn funds for daily living costs, and/or decreased funding available for basic resources."

To donate, click here.

— Sophie Carson

4:15 p.m.: Milwaukee Marathon canceled

The Milwaukee Marathon, set for April 11, is canceled because of a state ban on large gatherings, organizers said.

It will not be rescheduled, but organizers will give competitors a chance to run the race on their own and log their times online by April 30. Learn more about the virtual run here.

3:30 p.m.: North Shore resident is one of the positive Milwaukee County cases

The North Shore Health Department says it received notification from state officials that a person in Milwaukee County has tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The person returned from international travel and received notification from people they were with overseas that they had tested positive. Officials said the person immediately went to a Milwaukee-area hospital for evaluation, and after being tested, returned home and has remained under self-quarantine.

Health department officials did not say where on the North Shore the resident lives. A news conference was scheduled for 4 p.m.

— Mary Spicuzza

3:10 p.m.: Charter offers Spectrum access to students without internet

Charter Communication announced Friday morning it will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a subscription.

The move comes as many Wisconsin schools have rescheduled online courses and video instruction to temporarily replace brick and mortar classrooms.

Charter will partner with school districts to ensure local communities are aware of these tools to help students learn remotely, the company said.

A service of up to 100 megabytes per second will be provided.

The offer begins Monday. Those interested in enrolling are asked to call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.

Charter will also open Wi-Fi hot spots across its footprint for public use.

Read the full story here.

— Sophie Carson

3 p.m.: AMC Theatres limits ticket sales to 50% capacity

AMC Theatres, the nation's largest movie theater chain, announced Friday that it was limiting ticket sales in its theaters to 50% of capacity to allow for more social distance between patrons.

The chain, which operates the AMC Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa and in five other Wisconsin markets, said the new limits would go into effect Saturday. Regal Cinemas, the second-largest theater chain in the United States, quickly followed suit. (Regal doesn't have any theaters in Wisconsin.)

On Thursday, Milwaukee Film said it would limit ticket sales to 33% of capacity. Read the story here.

2:40 p.m.: Worried your child has the virus? Here's what to do

Parents who believe their children are showing symptoms of the new coronavirus (fever, cough, shortness of breath), or have been exposed to the virus, should call their doctor or go to this web page to set up a video visit with a doctor, Children Wisconsin hospital said Friday.

Children who are showing symptoms should avoid any contact with at-risk populations, including the elderly, people with weakened immune systems and people with other serious health conditions.

The hospital also announced that its primary and specialty care clinics will only allow one caregiver (and no siblings) to accompany a child to an appointment.

"In our Surgicenter and hospitals in Milwaukee and Neenah, patients can only have two individuals over the age of 12 visit," the hospital said.

The hospital stressed that families should only come to the emergency department if a child is experiencing a medical emergency or is directed to go there by a doctor. Children’s Wisconsin is not a testing site for COVID-19.

Children's will offer updates on this page.

— Mark Johnson

2:34 p.m.: Teachers call for Gov. Evers to close all public schools

The Milwaukee Teachers Education Association on Friday called on Gov. Tony Evers to close schools beginning Monday, citing the "health of our students, workers and their families."

The union, which represents about 6,000 employees in Milwaukee and Racine, said it believes the number of students and staff in the state who may already have the virus is likely higher than has been reported because of the shortage and lack of access to test kits.

"Every day that students and staff are sent to school is another day where thousands of people are potentially exposed to this virus, to be taken home and spread to their siblings, parents, grandparents and others," MTEA President Amy Mizialko said in the letter.

While children are at lower risk for the virus, she said, many students have conditions that put them in a higher risk category. And she said many volunteers are older, higher-risk individuals.

The union said schools don't have adequate staffing to clean and disinfect their buildings and there have been shortages of soap, hand sanitizer, toilet paper and paper towels.

Superintendent Keith Posley said earlier in the week that the district had added additional staff to clean buildings.

The MTEA letter acknowledged that many students depend on the schools for regular meals and said schools would need to continue to provide those meals if closed.

— Annysa Johnson

1:53 p.m.: Giannis pledges $100,000 to Fiserv Forum workers

On Friday, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo tweeted that he would pledge $100,000 to the Fiserv Forum staff, helping to offset costs related to loss of earning for hourly workers.

It's an identical amount pledged by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love to the workers in his home arena. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban also said he planned to pay arena workers as if the suspended NBA games were actually taking place.

"It's bigger than basketball!" Giannis wrote. "And during this tough time I want to help the people that make my life, my family's lives and my teammates lives easier. Me and my family pledge to donate $100,000 to the Fiserv Forum staff. We can get through this together."

Giannis and the Bucks had the best record in the NBA when play was suspended because of coronavirus concerns.

— JR Radcliffe

1:46 p.m.: Eleven new cases reported in Wisconsin, including two in Milwaukee County

After an uptick in confirmed coronavirus cases in Wisconsin, the state now has 19 confirmed cases (18 active, one has recovered). Read our full story here.

1:17 p.m.: Children's Hospital enhances visitor restrictions

From Children's Hospital of Wisconsin: "We have enhanced our visitor restrictions for clinic appointments and hospital visits to reduce the risk of exposure. In our primary and specialty care clinics, only one caregiver (and no siblings) will be allowed to accompany a child to an appointment. In our Surgicenter and hospitals in Milwaukee and Neenah, patients can only have two individuals over the age of 12 visit."

1:03 p.m.: Milwaukee County declares public health emergency

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele has declared a local public health emergency due to COVID-19. He said Milwaukee County was taking immediate preventative to help slow the spread of the virus.

“Our top priority is to keep Milwaukee County residents and visitors safe, and we will use every tool and resource at our disposal to ensure we continue our efforts to be the healthiest county in Wisconsin,” Abele said.

Abele said the proclamation gives Milwaukee County the necessary tools to act quickly in response to the virus.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and provide all resources necessary to respond,” said Director of the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management Christine Westrich. “We are partnering with the city and state to prepare and respond as the virus spreads and will continue to communicate fully with Milwaukee County residents as we move forward.”

Effective immediately, two administrative orders are being implemented for Milwaukee County employees.

A supplemental paid leave administrative order applies to all employees, and provides a separate bank of hours to use in response to COVID-19. All full-time, part-time, seasonal and hourly workers will be granted a minimum of 40 hours of SPL bank time to use.

The travel administrative order, which follows the recommendation of federal public health authorities, restricts out-of-state travel for Milwaukee County employees effective immediately. Any employee that is currently traveling or elects to travels out of state must self-quarantine for 14 days upon return, Abele said.

“We continue to actively monitor the spread of COVID-19 closely while we work to ensure our public health response is in line with the seriousness of this virus,” said the Emergency Medical Services Medical Director for Milwaukee County Dr. Ben Weston. “Out of an abundance of caution, we are taking serious, necessary steps to ensure we are prepared to work efficiently and effectively if and when this is at our doorstep. This is not a time for panic, but rather for preparation.”

Many county departments will cancel or reschedule upcoming public events and will continue to communicate these preventative measures on an ongoing basis, officials said.

For example, the Milwaukee County Department on Aging has postponed all social programming at Milwaukee-County owned senior centers and will continue providing congregate meal programming at these sites.

Milwaukee County Transit has implemented an extra daily disinfecting process on all buses, in addition to the standard cleaning that vehicles receive on a regular basis, officials said.

The airport has instituted enhanced cleaning procedures and are following all guidance from the CDC and the Milwaukee Health Department.

Milwaukee County Parks has posted information detailing the preventative actions recommended by the CDC have been posted throughout Park facilities, hand sanitizer is being made widely available, and frequent handwashing is encouraged.

Officials said the Milwaukee County Zoo is performing regular cleaning and disinfecting. There are additional alcohol-based hand sanitizers at the zoo, as well as additional sanitary wipes available in highly trafficked areas, officials said.

Update: Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow on Friday also declared a state of emergency. Farrow asked all county residents to follow the CDC’s guidelines for washing their hands, not to expose themselves to large gatherings of people, and remember to call elderly neighbors or other high risk populations and check in on them.

- Mary Spicuzza

12:55 p.m.: Absentee voting encouraged by municipalities

Many municipalities are encouraging absentee voting due to coronavirus concerns. To request an absentee ballot online or to download a form to mail in, visit https://myvote.wi.gov and navigate to "Vote Absentee" in the upper right corner of the website.

The clerk needs to receive the absentee application by Thursday, April 2 for the spring election. The completed ballot must be received by 8 p.m. April 7. A copy or picture of voter identification is needed with the application.

12:45 p.m.: Merton, Menomonee Falls close schools

The Merton Community School District is closed today after it learned of a possible case of coronavirus.

Merton Superintendent Ron Russ said in a letter to families Thursday evening that both Merton Primary and Merton Intermediate schools would be closed today for a deep cleaning. The closure also applies to after-school care and all activities.

Menomonee Falls also announced it would be suspending classes. On Thursday, Elmbrook announced it would be moving classes online, starting March 16.

View our updating list of all school closures in the Milwaukee area.

12:38 p.m.: First case reported in Racine County

The Racine County Health Department confirmed Friday that a county resident has contracted the coronavirus.

State and local officials are working to identify and contact anyone who has been in close contact with the infected individual, according to a news release. Those people are being asked to self-quarantine for 14 days from their exposure and will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.

The press release said the infected person had recently traveled internationally.

- Elliot Hughes

11:50 a.m.: Can you help? Milwaukee teacher builds spreadsheet to connect those in need with helpers

Angela Harris, a first grade teacher for Milwaukee Public Schools, created a Google form through which people can offer or request help for a variety of needs, as schools shut down and people become isolated.

Anyone who fills out the form can offer to help with childcare, meal preparation and delivery, running errands, signing people up for health insurance, checking on more vulnerable people, mediating conflicts, transportation, emotional support and monetary donations. People can also make requests for help through the form.

Harris said she was inspired to create the form by a friend in another city who’d done the same thing after a school district closed. Harris was worried about her own students given a potential shut down at MPS.

“One of my biggest worries is about my students,” she said. “I’m just really concerned about where they’ll get their food and the things they need.”

Harris created the form last night, went to work to teach this morning and recently saw more than 200 people have already responded, including several organizations offering to help her organize the inflow of responses.

Harris said she’s planning to meet with these organizations in the coming days to collaborate and facilitate connections between those who’ve filled out the form.

“This is way bigger than me and something I can’t do by myself,” she said. “I welcome the assistance and support.”

— Rory Linnane

11:13 a.m.: Breweries take steps to keep consumers safe

Breweries are taking steps to make sure consumers are safe. Lakefront continues its suspension of tours and special events and the beer hall and restaurant remain closed to the public.

Third Space has suspended tours as well and customers can get a refund online or redeem tour tickets in the taproom for two beers and a pint glass. The brewery is also suspending growler refills. The taproom remains open to the public.

Gathering Place Brewing will pour beers into single-used recyclable plastic cups for the foreseeable future. It has also suspended the weekly joint tour bus it shares with Company Brewing, Black Husky Brewing and Lakefront. Gathering Place will continue to hold tours in the brewery but will cap the number at 12.

Update: As a result of the suspension of the NBA season and the numerous large-scale event cancellations in Milwaukee, Good City Brewing will be closing its downtown taproom until further notice. It will continue to book and host private events, and the eastside taproom will remain open.

- Kathy Flanigan

11:11 a.m. NCAA Division II and III sports canceled for winter and spring season

The NCAA has shut down all Division II and Division III sports – for the winter and spring. That move has affected several Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams that were competing in national postseason tournaments.

The UW-Oshkosh women’s basketball team was scheduled to play Loras (Iowa) in the Elite Eight at 4 p.m. Friday in Holland, Mich.

The Titans finished in fourth place in the regular season but won the WIAC tournament title to secure the league’s automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.

The UW-Eau Claire men’s hockey team was scheduled to host an NCAA quarterfinal game on March 21. Eau Claire won the regular-season and tournament titles.

UW-River Falls and UW-Eau Claire were scheduled to meet Saturday in Eau Claire in the second round of the NCAA women’s hockey tournament.

River Falls on Wednesday night defeated visiting Gustavus Adolphus, 4-1, in the opening round in front of an announced crowd of 608.

“They might have been one of the last schools to play an NCAA contest in front of a full crowd,” said Matt Stanek, WIAC assistant commissioner for media relations. “Because their crowd wasn’t limited.”

NCAA Division I championships for the spring season were canceled Thursday.

— Jeff Potrykus

10:36 a.m. State board bans utilities from disconnections during health emergency

Homes in Wisconsin will not be disconnected from water, electric or natural gas services for unpaid bills during Gov. Tony Evers' public health emergency period under an order from the state board that regulates utilities in Wisconsin.

The Public Services Commission, which regulates utilities, also asked utility providers to reconnect any home that is disconnected currently.

"Once the public health emergency is lifted, the utility may disconnect service to a property that was reconnected during this period without further notice if an appropriate payment or payment arrangement has not been established," the commission said in a statement.

Wisconsin homes are currently not in danger of being disconnected due to overdue bills under a longstanding moratorium during winter months. That ban expires April 15, however. Friday's order from the PSC extends the moratorium until the health emergency ends.

A key to preventing the spread of coronavirus is frequent washing and bathing, and staying indoors.

— Molly Beck

10:31 a.m.: Sen. Johnson considers self quarantining

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin is considering quarantining himself just hours after telling the New York Times people weren’t hearing enough about success stories amid the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

The Republican from Oshkosh met with a member of the Spanish parliament on March 2 who later tested positive for the novel coronavirus spreading around the world, according to Johnson’s office. He is consulting with a doctor about whether to go into quarantine but feels well, a statement from his office said.

Hours earlier, told the New York Times that journalists weren’t doing enough to tell the public about people who have survived after being infected.

“One thing the press has not covered at all is the people who have really recovered,” Johnson told the newspaper. “Right now all people are hearing about are the deaths. I’m sure the deaths are horrific, but the flip side of this is the vast majority of people who get coronavirus do survive.”

- Patrick Marley

10:12 a.m. Jury trials canceled for Milwaukee County circuit court

Many jury trials in Milwaukee County circuit court have been canceled for the next three weeks, and other operations will pare down and rely on phone appearance.

Those summoned for jury duty before March 16 are still expected to show, and all other court proceedings that don't involve juries are still scheduled

The plan is to book new inmates only for the most serious felonies; others arrested would be ordered to show up at Out of Custody Intake Court.

As of Thursday, even lawyers had to visit clients at the Milwaukee County Jail via phone booths on each floor, unless a face-to-face contact is authorized by a shift commander for particular reasons.

All aspects of courthouse operations were under review this week, with an eye on how to reduce operations to a minimal staff. That would likely mean a temporary end to nearly all jury trials, closed branches of the court and increased use of court appearances and hearings by phone.

Update: Milwaukee County Sheriff Earnell Lucas announced Friday that restricted all non-essential access to the jail, including lawyers who must meet with incarcerated clients; they will have to use booths that allow video conferencing.

Lucas also said his office has "aggressively enforced internal social distancing measures, including suspending face-to-face meetings and large gatherings" and implemented "a detailed three-phase strategy for infectious disease prevention, containment, and mitigation."

— Bruce Vielmetti and Elliot Hughes

10:03 a.m. Masters, Boston Marathon postponed

The sporting world continued to see its spotlighted events postponed or canceled. The Masters, one of the premier events in professional golf, announced that it would not begin on April 9 in Georgia as scheduled and would be postponed indefinitely.

The Boston Marathon, which was originally slated to take place April 20, has been postponed until Sept. 14.

— JR Radcliffe

9:55 a.m. Limits on reusable mugs and other changes at coffee vendors

With COVID-19 keeping customers from congregating as usual over morning coffee, Colectivo and other local and regional cafes are limiting reusable mugs, removing condiment areas and encouraging customers to order and pay on mobile apps. Starbucks is also suggesting the company might trim operations in some areas to drive-thrus.

To find a Starbucks drive-thru near you, click here.

Coffee shop owners say they are increasing sanitation, requiring workers to wash their hands more frequently and urging employees who feel sick to stay home. “So please be patient with us if we seem a little shorthanded,” Mike Wroblewski, owner of Fiddleheads Coffee, wrote in a news release.

— Raquel Rutledge

9:22 a.m. Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker imposes self-quarantine

Former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is reportedly under voluntary self-quarantine.

Walker reportedly attended the Conservative Political Action Conference, where at least one attendee who came into contact with a number of high-profile politicians and other officials was confirmed to have coronavirus.

But Walker is reportedly still giving speeches, including on Friday to the Teton County GOP, according to the Jackson Hole News & Guide.

"I commend the governor for being responsible and cautious given what’s going on everywhere," Teton County GOP Chairman Alex Muromcew told the newspaper. "It is what it is and we’ve just got to roll with the punches."

Update: Here is a statement from a Walker spokesperson:

"The governor attended the Conservative Political Action Conference on Thursday, February 27 and Friday, February 28 and spoke with the person identified by the American Conservative Union as having unfortunately tested positive for the coronavirus. Upon learning of the information -- as a precaution -- the governor cancelled all events and has been staying in his home in Milwaukee through today, March 13, which will be two weeks since he attended the CPAC conference. The governor consulted medical professionals and there was no concern that he had contracted the virus.”

— Mary Spicuzza

7:23 a.m. Waukesha County Technical College suspends face-to-face classes with exceptions

Waukesha County Technical College spring break is March 16-22. The following week, March 23-29, there will be no face-to-face in-class instruction with the exception of truck driving, criminal justice-law enforcement academy and Small Business Center courses. Clinicals and protective services courses may meet; instructors will contact students with details. Students are encouraged to monitor their email and online learning management system for changes.

All internal and external events are canceled through May 1, with the exception of graduation – a decision about that will be made soon.

All international travel, including education abroad classes, have been canceled through May 31.

Students traveling outside the county must self-quarantine for 14 days after their return before returning to class. Anyone returning for spring break outside the state must self-monitor for 14 days.

— Debi Eimer

6:25 a.m. Coronavirus starting to affect Kohl's business

Kohl's Corp. has experienced a "softening of customer demand particularly in those areas most affect by the virus," the retailer said in a disclosure to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Digital demand has not been affected, Kohl's said.

Kohl's has all together canceled its investor day planned for Monday. The Menomonee Falls-based retailer had announced that the meeting would take place via webinar instead of in-person in New York City.

"As the spread of COVID-19 has continued, the Company believes it is most important to prioritize the immediate safety and well-being of its customers and Associates and the day-to-day operations of the business," Kohl's said in a filing.

Kohl's ended 2019 with flat sales in the fourth quarter, putting the chain down 1.3% for the fiscal year. Kohl's has more than 1,100 of its department stores across the country.

"The Company is maintaining its strong focus on expense management and cost control, while leveraging the strength of its balance sheet," Kohl's said.

- Sarah Hauer