SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — City officials and leaders of this coastal city plan to continue Spring Break operations.
South Padre Island city officials issued a press release Tuesday evening addressing residents and visitors concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The statement was made by SPI Mayor Patrick McNulty and City Manager Randy Smith.
“In consideration to the COVID-19 outbreak, SPI city officials have been diligently reviewing and evaluating all information concerning COVID-19 and its risks,” the press release states.
According to the press release, city officials have recently implemented additional safety procedures to assure cleanliness and awareness within their staff, facilities, amenities and apparatuses.
City officials stated they will continue to monitor and evaluate all available information, and will continue placing the health and safety of its citizens and visitors above all.
“When compared to other area events, we believe that Spring Break and our targeted clientele are different than large events like South by Southwest (SXSW), which has promoters and event goers from over 106 countries from around the world.”
On March 6, SXSW representatives made an announcement that they would follow the city of Austin’s directions and would cancel the March dates for the event.
According to SPI’s press release, data indicates that in 2019, 26 percent of SXSW attendees were international.
The press release states that the city of South Padre Island doesn’t actually host an event itself, but it does assist with planning, safety, security and traffic in and around these privately promoted events.
“SPI Spring Break attracts mostly Texas residents and students and other college and university students from different states,” the press release states. “During Spring Break, locals from the Rio Grande Valley are our daily visitors.”
According to the press release, there are no confirmed cases of the COVID-19 on the Island, in Cameron County or the Rio Grande Valley.
“Information available indicates that the majority of the COVID-19 cases are from people that entered in the U.S. internationally, such as the Nile River Cruise, and have been appropriately quarantined,” the press release states. “Circumstances like this have little-to-low bearing on local events.”
DISEASE PREVENTION
• Avoid touching your face if you are sick or near someone who is sick.
• Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Frequently clean and disinfect common surfaces.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing with tissue or your elbow.
• If you require medical attention, call ahead before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room.
SOURCE: Cameron County Public Health
