HOUSTON — Editor's note: The videos in this article are about the economic impact of the Rodeo closing two weeks early.
When the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was canceled on Wednesday, several people were left wondering if they would be refunded or what they could do with their remaining Rodeo tickets since there would be no more shows and the Carnival was closed.
The 2020 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was canceled due to coronavirus concerns. Grounds closed Wednesday afternoon for the remainder of the season.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said the decision to cancel the rodeo was made when a man out of Montgomery County, who did not travel internationally, tested presumptive positive for COVID-19.
" (Tuesday) changed things," Turner said. "Because with the case in Montgomery County, there was evidence of some community spread, and as a result that takes us to what do we do next."
Turner said there is some indication that the Montgomery County patient was at the Houston Rodeo BBQ cook-off on Friday, Feb. 28.
Officials are trying to figure out what spots he visited while at the cook-off and who he had contact with.
"Our best understanding right now is that he was at the BBQ cook-off on the 28th and they're still trying to assess whether he had symptoms then which would have made it a bigger issue or whether he did not have any symptoms which wouldn't have made it as big an issue," Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said.
On Thursday, RodeoHouston released several options.
Here's a look at the options:
Season ticket holders
- Donate the balance of your 2020 Season Tickets to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. (An acknowledgment of your donation will be provided.)
- Rollover the balance of your 2020 Season Ticket purchase for the March 11 – 22 performances to your 2021 Season Ticket purchase. If you choose this option, there is no action needed on your part.
- Request a refund of the balance of your 2020 Season Tickets. (Refunds will be completed by April 30, 2020. An email will be sent to 2020 ticket buyers by early next week to choose an option. If you do not respond by April 3, your balance will automatically roll over to your 2021 Season Ticket purchase.)
Individual ticket purchases
- Donate the cost of your 2020 tickets to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. (An acknowledgment of your donation will be provided.)
- Request a refund of the cost of your 2020 Season Tickets. (Refunds will be completed by April 30, 2020. An email will be sent to 2020 ticket buyers by early next week to choose an option.)
- If you purchased resale tickets through RODEOHOUSTON, refunds will be automatically processed by April 30, 2020.
- If you purchased tickets through a secondary ticket provider, such as VividSeats, StubHub, Seat Geek or Ticketmaster, please contact those sites directly for refund information.
Carnival ticket and food card purchases
- Unused Carnival Tickets, Half-Price Carnival Packs and Food Cards may be used during the 2021 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. No action required on your part with this option. Your tickets will remain on your account.
- Unused Tickets and Half-Price Carnival Packs may be refunded. Additional information regarding Carnival Ticket, Half-Price Carnival Pack and Food Card refunds will be available next week.
Get complete coverage of the coronavirus by texting 'FACTS' to 713-526-1111.
HLSR released the following statement on their website after the cancellation announcement was made:
In the interest of public health, the City of Houston and the Houston Health Department have ordered the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ to close. The Rodeo will respectfully and dutifully comply with the City’s order.
The Rodeo is deeply saddened; however, the safety and well-being of our guests and our community is our top priority. Out of precaution, the City has decided that this is the best course of action for our community.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has been a fabric of this community since 1932. Having to close early is extremely difficult as guests, volunteers, exhibitors, rodeo athletes and entertainers look forward to the 20 days of the Rodeo each year.
We look forward to the 2021 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to continue to promote agriculture, education, entertainment and Western heritage. We will provide additional information as it becomes available. Updates will be posted at rodeohouston.com/2020.
Coronavirus symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus can be similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80 percent of the cases there were mild.
But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk.
The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.
Human coronaviruses are usually spread through
- The air by coughing or sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
Help stop the spread of coronavirus
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Eat and sleep separately from your family members
- Use different utensils and dishes
- Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, hot your hand.
- If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.
Lower your risk
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.