Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner released the following tweets Wednesday:
I am happy to announce today that I have been working with @HoustonHealthand the Mayor's Office of Special Events to formulate health and safety protocols to cautiously restart live special events in Houston.
We have had multiple inquiries from organizations who have had success with virtual and live events without audiences. There is a desire from the live special events industry to follow safe guidelines and produce events in controlled environments.
1. We're going to start with a small audience, allowing up to 25% of the normal occupancy of a controlled venue.
2. Everyone must wear masks, practice social distancing, have their temp. checked & answer the COVID-19 questionnaire upon entry.
We will monitor events as we move forward and as long as our numbers continue to move towards 5% infection rate.
Events that will *not* be approved events in uncontrolled spaces or venues: parades, fun runs, walks, biking events, and festivals. These types of events are on hold through the rest of the year.
Each event request will be closely reviewed and strict guidelines must be met prior to approval. *Tomorrow, @HoustonTexans will hold a Drive-In Tail Gate Party in their parking lot -- 100 cars with 4 ppl max per car, for a total of potentially 400 people.
@HouSymphony will stage a concert series in Jones Hall. While this is a 3,000 seat venue, the Symphony will only allow a maximum of 150 guests to attend. *
@HoustonDynamo and @HoustonDash will host their game series for the first time this year with less than 25% capacity.
They are all abiding by protocols by the CDC and Gov. Abbott's office, pursuant to Executive Order GA-28. This order gives authority to mayors and county judges approval of outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people, subject to certain conditions and restrictions.
At any point should the numbers of infection spike or health conditions change, we will reevaluate our current plan.