Hugely-popular Houston rodeo canceled due to virus

A woman visits Times Square as she wears a face mask on March 8, 2020 in New York City. Image: AFP/ Kena Betancur

The Houston Rodeo, which attracts 2.5 million visitors a year, was abruptly canceled on Wednesday midway through its 20-day run due to the coronavirus outbreak, organizers said.

The event includes rodeo competitions, livestock and horse shows, farm displays and star-studded concerts as well as barbecues, retail stalls and a fairground carnival.

“The safety and wellbeing of our guests and our community is our top priority,” the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo said in a statement.

“Out of precaution, the city has decided that this is the best course of action for our community… Having to close early is extremely difficult.”

About $390 million was spent at the 2019 rodeo, supporting nearly 6,000 jobs in Texas, according to official figures.

Acts booked for this year’s event included Lizzo and Gwen Stefani, both triple Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriters.

“This decision has not come easily. But the health and safety of the people in our region is paramount,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner.

Many United States events have been hit by the outbreak, with Austin’s 10-day South By Southwest culture and tech gathering canceled, and the Coachella music festival postponed until October.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded 31 deaths in the U.S. while a John Hopkins University coronavirus tracker indicates 1,110 infections. Texas has confirmed 13 infections but no deaths. RGA

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