Houston Rodeo Closed Over Coronavirus Concerns

With growing concerns of coronavirus, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has decided to cancel the event. Officials met this morning over the concerns of the rodeo, as the rodeo had already opened its doors to visitors. After the decision was made to cancel the rodeo, patrons visiting the rodeo were told to leave the area immediately.

According to KPRC in Houston, of the 25 cases of COVID-19 in Texas, 14 of those cases are located in the Houston area. Before the official press conference, the rides located in the midway of the rodeo stopped accepting people on board. This is the first time the Houston Rodeo has been canceled since 1937. It was first established as the Houston Fat Stock Show in 1931.

Houston Mayor, Sylvester Turner, held a press conference next to county representatives, council members of the rodeo, county judges, and county medical reps. Turner stated that three counties in the Houston area have been affected with the new strain of virus, which could all be tracked back to international travel. They continued to monitor the situation on if the virus would spread. Yesterday, it was confirmed that a case in Montgomery County had tested positive for the virus, and it was contracted not related to travel. This is when the council and mayor took action.

That action is the mayor signing an "emergency health declaration" for the city of Houston. This declaration will go into effect at the end of the day today and will last for seven days. This declaration also cancels any events that the city produces, co-sponsors, or permits to happen. All events in Houston will be canceled through the end of March. At the end of the seven days, they council will meet again to reevaluate if another declaration is needed.

As for the Houston rodeo, all concerts are canceled for the rest of the 2020 season. The other rodeo activities: games, livestock shows, rides, vendors will also be shut down at the end of the day today.