Last March, COVID-19 began its march across Texas. Here is a look back at the year’s worth of events that impacted Dallas College and beyond.

—Compiled by Amanda Araujo

Text Only Version of Infographic

March 10, 2020 – First COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations confirmed in Dallas County.

March 13, 2020 – Gov. Abbott declares a State of Disaster, sets limits to large gatherings. With students heading out for spring break, DCCCD campuses officially close in response to the virus.

March 16, 2020 – DCCCD extends spring break to plan a shift to online and remote operations.

March 19, 2020 – First COVID-19 death reported in Dallas College.
March 20, 2020 – Abbott orders schools, bars, and gyms closed.

March 21, 2020 – Dallas County issues a stay-at-home order.

March 30, 2020 – All classes at DCCCD campuses resume online.

March 31, 2020 – DCCCD commencement ceremonies are postponed indefinitely.

April 3, 2020 – Eastfield celebrates its 50th Anniversary. Events are canceled due to the pandemic.

April 7, 2020 – Abbott orders Texas schools to close for the rest of the school year.

May 5, 2020 – DCCCD Board of Trustees unanimously approves the recommendation from Chancellor Joe May to continue paying employees through August 31. A plan to begin reopening campuses in a phased approach with limited access is unveiled at the board meeting.

May 7, 2020 – Dallas County surpasses 5,000 total COVID-19 cases. May announces fall semester courses will continue to be offered primarily online.

May 8, 2020 – Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins issues first mask order.

May 12, 2020 – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton tells Judge Jenkins to end mask order.

June 1, 2020 – Abbott allows Texas schools to hold summer classes, following social distancing and health protocols.

June 3, 2020 – Texas bar, stores move to 50% capacity.

June 8, 2020 – DCCCD initiates Phase 2 of its return-to-campus plan. Campus presidents and the chancellor’s executive team return to their offices along with certain faculty, staff, and students who have unfinished lab work from the spring.

June 12, 2020 – Restaurants move to 75% capacity. Maverick’s owner Mark Cuban delivers the commencement address at DCCCD’s first virtual graduation ceremonies.

June 19, 2020 – Second mask order issued in Dallas County.

June 26, 2020 – Texas bars are ordered to closed again.

June 28, 2020 – Dallas County surpasses 20,000 total COVID-19 cases.

June 29, 2020 – Restaurants ordered back to 50% capacity.

July 1, 2020 – The Dallas County Community College District officially becomes Dallas College. Colleges now operates as campuses of a unified Dallas College.

July 3, 2020 – Abbott issues statewide mask order.

July 6, 2020 – ICE announces international students must take classes in person to stay in country legally by fall. 2,600 Dallas College students are affected by the new ruling.

July 7, 2020 – State Fair of Texas cancelled.

July 9, 2020 – Dallas College surpasses 30,000 total COVID-19 cases.

July 13, 2020 – Volleyball, soccer seasons moved to spring after decision from NJCAA.

July 14, 2020 – White House reverses ICE’s decision to send international students home.

July 16, 2020 – Dallas County schools ordered to close through Labor Day.

July 28, 2020 – Dallas County reports 100 dead from COVID-19. Department of Homeland Security issues a memo stating DACA is being reevaluated. Nearly 700,000 young people are affected nationwide, including Dallas College alumni.

August 3, 2020 – Drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites begins at Eastfield.

August 5, 2020 – Dallas County surpasses 50,000 total COVID-19 cases.

September 18, 2020 – May announces Spring 2021 semester courses will continue to be delivered primarily online. Specialized programs will have limited face-to-face meetings.

September 22, 2020 – Dallas County reports 1,000 dead from COVID-19.

October 2, 2020 – President Donald Trump is diagnosed with COVID-19.

October 14, 2020 – Coronavirus threat level upgraded to red in Dallas County as new cases reach 500+ daily.

November 6, 2020 – Dallas County reported 100,000 reported cases of COVID-19.

November 10, 2020 – A report presented to the Board of Trustees shows a 10% decrease in enrollment for the fall. College leaders express concern about possible state funding cuts.

November 19, 2020 – Dallas County sets single-day record with 1,860 new coronavirus cases as deaths surpass 20,000 statewide.

December 11, 2020 – FDA authorizes the first COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, Pfizer-BioNTech.

December 14, 2020 – The first vaccinations approved by the U.S. government to protect against the coronavirus are administered, initiating the rollout in DFW.

December 17, 2020 – FDA authorizes the second COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, Moderna.

January 13, 2021 – Dallas College surpasses 200,000 cases of COVID-19.

January 21, 2021 – Dallas College leadership approves a spring sports season, reversing its decision to cancel all sports due to the pandemic.

January 24, 2021 – 2,000th COVID-19 death recorded in Dallas County.

February 27, 2021 – FDA authorizes the third COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, Janssen.

March 1, 2021 – Campuses reopen for faculty, essential staff.

March 3, 2021 – Abbott fully reopens Texas and lifts mask mandates on the same day as Dallas County reports its 3,000th COVID-19 death.