SANDPOINT — Wednesday morning, Schweitzer Mountain Resort announced it was closing and so did the Panhandle Animal Shelter Thrift Store and sorting facility. By mid-afternoon, West Bonner Libraries had also announced it was closing for a few weeks.

All were in response to a call by experts for social distancing as a way to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus and decrease the likelihood of vulnerable populations getting sick.

The decision to cut the resort’s ski season short came in light of Centers for Disease Control and Panhandle Health District recommendations concerning the coronavirus pandemic.

“After careful consideration and thought, we regret to inform you that Schweitzer Mountain Resort has decided that today, Wednesday, March 18, will be the final day of operations for the 2019/2020 winter season,” said Schweitzer CEO & President, Tom Chasse in a press release. “The issues we are all facing from the COVID-19 pandemic have proved challenging and for the safety of our guests and employees, we know that this is the best decision to limit the spread of the virus and protect the most vulnerable members of our community, both on and off the mountain.”

As they have stated from the beginning, Chasse said the resort’s goal was to keep the lifts spinning and employees working as long as they could do so in a safe environment.

“The latest recommendations from Bonner General Health, Panhandle Health, the CDC, and the rest of the healthcare community have influenced our decision to close the resort,” he added. “We realize that even if we limit indoor operations to restrooms only and run the lifts, there will be no way we can realistically enforce the latest guidelines discouraging gatherings of 50 or more people.”

The decision was one that was not made lightly, Chasse said, adding the resort is working to help minimize the impact on staff and will continue to offer them any available resources.

“We appreciate the continued support from our local community and hope to welcome you all back to your home mountain soon,” he said. “This isn’t how we would have liked to end the season but the overall health and safety of our Schweitzer community is paramount.”

Also closing as a precaution against the COVID-19 virus, West Bonner Libraries officials announced they would be closing its Priest River and Blanchard libraries as of 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 18 until Wednesday, April 8. The library board will reevaluate the situation on April 7.

Courier service was also suspended until at least April 7 and only local items can be placed on hold. Staff will be working onsite and will curbside service when they are available. Staff will be checking email and voicemails, WBL Director Katie Crill said. Patrons can call 208-448-2207 and leave a message or email library@westbonnerlibrary.org with questions and someone will respond as soon as possible.

In announcing the closure of the PAS Thrift Store and donation facility effective Wednesday, Executive Director Mandy Evans said the decision was made for the safety of the community as well as its staff and volunteers. While the shelter will continue to operate, it will be with limited services starting today March 19.

“We realize the impact this decision has on our community and on the shelter, but we feel a deep responsibility to keep our community and team safe,” said Evan, noting the thrift store is the main source of revenue for the shelter to assist 8,900 animals each year.

With the store and donation facility both closed, donation of items to the store will not be accepted until further notice. “Our hope is that our donors will hold onto their gently used items and donate them when we reopen,” she said.

Though the thrift store operations have halted until it is safe to reopen, Evans said the animal shelter will remain operational with limited access to the public. For more information about service changes, PAS is sharing updates on their website pasidaho.org.

The front desk will be staffed from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and stray pets will still be cared for. Adoptions will be handled by appointment only. Potential adopters can find information about adoptable pets by visiting pasidaho.org and can call the shelter to set up a meet-and-greet time. To help spur adoptions, PAS is offering free adoptions.

The shelter also is asking community members to sign up as emergency foster homes in case the shelter experiences an increase in surrendered animals.

Bonner County Sheriff’s Office also advised the Idaho Transportation Department has extended all driver’s licenses, driver’s training permits, instruction permits, commercial learner’s permits, identification cards, and commercial driver’s licenses (without hazmat endorsements) that are expired or will expire between March 1 and May 31 to be valid until June 30.

CDL holders will still need to comply with medical certificate requirements to be considered valid. For CDL holders with a hazmat endorsement or who are not comfortable working with an expired license, the department is working with county DMV offices to setup appointments to allow CDL renewals.

To schedule an appointment for a CDL renewal, call Sandpoint Driver’s License at 208-265-1431 or Priest River Driver’s License at 208-448-2816.

Effective Thursday, March 19, free sack lunches are available to 18 year and under in age individuals at three sites in the Lake Pend Oreille School District. Eligible individuals must be physically present to pick up a sack lunch, by federal law.

Those sites are Clark Fork Jr./Sr. High School, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.; Kootenai Elementary School, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.; and Farmin Stidwell Elementary School, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.

The Lake Pend Oreille School District announced Monday that it would be closing schools until Sunday, April 5, at which point the decision will be revisited to determine if the district needs to continue with alternative methods of instruction or return to normal operations.

Despite efforts to keep extracurricular activities open, LPOSD Superintendent Tom Albertson said it is no longer possible to do so with the closure of our schools. “At this time, LPOSD is suspending all extracurricular activities, including practices,” he said in a letter to parents.

LPOSD facilities are closed and all large events are also canceled until further notice.

“I recognize that this is challenging and we will continue to monitor new developments and adjust as necessary,” he said. “Please email your child’s teacher, school administrator, or myself during this next week if you have further questions. We will continue to update you on information regarding the closure as we get closer to April 5.

“Thank you for being understanding. We all want what is best for our students, families and community during this difficult time.”

The Friends of the Library has been advised of the closure of the library due to the outbreak of the corona virus.

“While we are sad to see the closure, we know that director Ann Nichols has acted with an abundance of caution and concern for her employees and all of our community,” said FOL’s Ilene Bell. “Due to the closure, there will no monthly book sales until further notice.”

Paul Graves of Elder Advocates announced that Geezer Forums will be suspended until next fall.

“Our speakers through the May forums agreed that discontinuing was wise,” he said. “We normally take the summer off anyway. So I’m hoping all of our spring speakers will simply re-schedule for next fall.

Graves will continue, however, to write his regular Dear Geezer column to keep aging issues in front of the community.

Community Assistance League has announced it is limiting the hours Bizarre Bazaar is open, beginning Thursday, March 19. The upscale thrift store will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

“We are thankful for our customers, volunteers and the community,” the group said in a press release. “We take your safety very seriously.”

CAL officials said they are closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak and have instituted sanitary measures to safeguard the public and its volunteers.

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.