With spike in virus cases, El Paso delays reopening of zoo, museums, city facilities
EL PASO, Texas -- After seeing a record number of virus hospitalizations and new cases on Sunday, the city of El Paso announced it would delay the reopening of several "quality of life" services.
“The health, safety and well-being of our community and the city’s workforce remains top priority,” wrote Mayor Dee Margo in a statement issued Sunday evening, so "reopening these services would not be responsible at this time.”
The following city facilities and services will remain closed:
- The El Paso Zoo
- Botanical Gardens
- City museums
- Recreation centers
- Spray parks
- Library branches
These locations were originally scheduled to open July 1, but the city will now keep them closed. The mayor said city officials will monitor the trend of local virus cases with the El Paso Department of Public Health to determine when the facilities can safely reopen.
"Now more than ever, public health experts urge everyone to stay home as much as possible, practice good hand hygiene and if you must be out in public, practice social distancing and wear a face covering," Margo said.
