HOUSTON (1080 KRLD) - Houston officials have canceled the remainder of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo because of Coronvirus concerns.
Meetings were held Wednesday morning at NRG Stadium and Houston City Hall, where officials made the decision to end the event, according to reports.
The Rodeo was scheduled to run through March 22. But even before the announcement, the midway rides were no longer allowing guests to board.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner says he will sign an emergency health declaration which will remain in place for 7 days.
In a statement Wednesday, Mayor Turner pointed to a presumptive coronavirus case in Montgomery County, which is not tied to international travel, as the reason why the Rodeo was shut down.
For the health and safety of our residents, @RODEOHOUSTON will be phased down and there will be no concerts beginning this evening.Other events will also be impacted including @MayorsEvents #TourDeHou. The event will be rescheduled or cancelled entirely. #COVID19
— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner)
March 11, 2020 Earlier on Wednesday, the World Health Organization declared that the coronavirus is a pandemic.
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