Brownsville, Cameron County efforts amid COVID-19 outbreak

Brownsville Mayor Trey Mendez issued a local disaster declaration Tuesday, effective immediately, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. 

“We’ve seen news across the country,” Mendez said during a disaster declaration Tuesday. “We’ve seen how other communities are responding to this, what is being called a pandemic and this coronavirus. Brownsville being the largest city in the [Rio Grande] Valley feels like it should take the lead and be an example of how other communities work as well. Therefore, as of now, we are issuing a declaration of local disaster for public health emergency.” 

The city sent a news release Tuesday on Mendez’s message and it stated that critical city services such as fire and police protection, sanitation and water services will not be disturbed.

“I think the important thing to keep in mind is, as of now, we have not had any confirmed cases of the virus,” he said. “However, the testing has been minimal and I think we need to proceed as though … we do have active cases in our community.”

The mayor said the city does not want to overwhelm hospitals or want residents to panic by hoarding essential items.

The news release about the mayor’s message also said the city is taking the following steps until March 24 unless stated otherwise:

–Restaurants and bars are limited to 50% occupancy. Delivery and takeout are strongly encouraged;

–Places of worship, movie theaters and gymnasiums are limited to 50% capacity;

–Private or “community gatherings” of more than 50 individuals are banned until further notice;

–Bingo establishments are closed;

–Child and adult day care centers are limited to 50% legal occupancy;

–All schools are closed;

–All city libraries are closed. The Brownsville Public Library System will extend due dates for items checked out and not accrue fines during the temporary closure;

–Residents are encouraged to use online and drive-thru services;

–Brownsville Metro will implement social distancing measures. Seating will be reduced by approximately 50%, seating on paratransit service will be limited to two riders per trip, seating at La Plaza Terminal Lobby will be reduced by approximately 50%, and Route 6 and 14 will be canceled;

–Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport will limit access into the terminal building to ticketed passengers only;

–City events are canceled until further notice;

–General public and private community events are canceled;

–Private events on city facilities are canceled. Fees and deposits for the facility rentals will be refunded or applied toward a rescheduled event;

–Meetings of city advisory boards, commissions and bureaus are canceled and;

–Peace officers, City of Brownsville health inspectors, code enforcement/ordinance officers/inspectors, traffic specialists and Brownsville Fire Marshal are authorized to enforce the order. A violation of the order is a Class C Misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.

The Brownsville City Commission will continue to meet in person, but the city encourages the public not to attend, and instead, watch proceedings on www.cob.us. It also encourages people to seek city services through the website or by phone.

The city encourages residents to wash hands often with soap and water, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth, avoid close contact with people who are sick, cough or sneeze into the elbow or a tissue to cover it, and clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, according to a separate news release also sent Tuesday.

Due to COVID-19, the Brownsville Public Utilities Board will close its offices until further notice. People can make payments over the phone, online, through a drop box located at 1425 Robinhood Dr., through drive-thru lanes or U.S. mail. Payment arrangements can also be made over the phone or online. 

Cameron County

Parks and beach areas are temporarily closed until further notice effective Monday.

The parks and beach areas closed are:

–Isla Blanca Park;

–Andy Bowie Park;

–E.K. Atwood Park;

–Adolph Thomae, Jr. Park;

–County Beach Access No. 3;

–County Beach Access No. 4;

–County Beach Access No. 5;

–County Beach Access No. 6;

–Boca Chica Beach;

–Jaime J. Zapata Memorial Boat Ramp;

–Bejarano-McFarland Memorial Park;

–Pedro “Pete” Benavides Park;

–Laureles Regional Park;

–El Ranchito Community Park;

–El Ranchito Recreational Park;

–Santa Maria Community Park;

–La Paloma Regional Park;

–Santa Rosa Community Park;

–La Esperanza Community Park and;

–El Centro Cultural.

Cameron County District judges were ordered to cancel all jury panels summoned for March until further notice.

In a news release issued March 14, Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr. ordered for all county-sponsored functions or events with an anticipated attendance of over 250 people canceled and/or suspended for a minimum of 14 days, or until further notice.