RODEO HOUSTON TO CLOSE DOWN OVER CORONAVIRUS WORRIES

  

Update @ 12:48 p.m.: The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is being cancelled due to coronavirus concerns.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner at a news conference this (Wednesday) afternoon confirmed the cancellation of the event, saying as of tonight, all concerts and activities will come to an end.  As of 4 p.m. today, the grounds will be closed.

Turner said the health and safety of the people in the region is paramount, and was the ultimate factor in the decision to cancel the event.

Turner added that, by the end of the day, he will be signing an emergency health declaration for the City of Houston, which will remain in place for seven days.  Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the county will also issue a declaration.

Turner also announced that all city-produced and co-sponsored events for the month of March will either be rescheduled or cancelled.

The announcement comes days after officials with the rodeo said they had no plans to cancel the event, saying it is predominantly a local gathering.

Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus a pandemic, and encouraged all countries to take urgent and aggressive action.

This marks the first time in over 80 years that the rodeo has been shut down.  The rodeo was cancelled in its entirety in 1937.

Original Story @ 11:34 a.m.: Organizers of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo are expected to cancel the event due to coronavirus concerns.

Sources told the Houston Chronicle that rodeo officials are expected to announce the closure of the event today (Wednesday) at a news conference at noon.  Several other Houston media outlets are also confirming the rodeo will be closed down.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner told city councilmembers at their meeting this morning that there would be a coronavirus-related announcement at noon today, to give details on the event’s cancellation.

The announcement comes days after officials with the rodeo said they had no plans to cancel the event, saying it is predominantly a local gathering.