Hidalgo County Releases Statement on the Rio Grande Livestock Show and Rodeo

The County of Hidalgo has been receiving many inquiries regarding the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo (RGVLS). The following is a statement made by Hidalgo County’s Public Affairs Director, Carlos Sanchez.

“At this time Hidalgo County is collaborating with the organizers of the rodeo and livestock show regarding any change in status. The health and safety of citizens is our top concern.”

Census: Our moral obligation

I encourage every household in Hidalgo County to take advantage of this advancement and fill out the online census form as soon as possible. Beginning today, be on the lookout for a letter from the U.S. Census Bureau inviting you to complete the form online or by phone.

Don’t despair if you don’t receive your letter right away; the Census Bureau is working with the U.S. Postal Service to stagger delivery and avoid overwhelming its online access.

County distributing coronavirus public service announcements through social media

The Hidalgo County Health Department has begun a social media campaign. It focuses on answering peoples’ common questions about the coronavirus. In two videos posted on the county’s Facebook page, county health director Eddie Olivarez discusses the diagnosis, process and prevention. It includes self isolation if you are being tested for the virus. The videos also discuss travel alerts and attending large social events.

RGV livestock show, rodeo to continue as planned

The 81st Annual Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show in Mercedes is continuing as planned, with the gates opening midweek for the first arrivals of students and their show animals.

But thus far no cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the Rio Grande Valley, and Hidalgo County leaders are urging calm. Stock show officials have been in constant contact with county health officials, and currently have no plans to close the stock show, Risica said. “At this point, we have no intention of shutting down unless something major drastic would happen,” Risica said.

SPI Spring Break to continue

The city of South Padre Island has decided that Spring Break should go on, even amid a wave of cancellations of major events elsewhere around Texas and the nation due to fears about the spread of the new coronavirus.

The Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show in Mercedes was still on as of press time Thursday, though Hidalgo County Public Affairs Director Carlos Sanchez released a statement saying that county and livestock show officials “will work together to continue to monitor the situation.”

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