“Today, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced the move to Threat Level One Severe on the COVID-19 Threat Level Scale, encouraging Harris County residents to stay home and limit non-essential tasks as much as possible,” Assistant City Manager Brant Gary said. “Additionally, the most recent Executive Orders from Governor Greg Abbott were released, advising that the Plan to Reopen Texas has paused.”
Abbott made his announcement June 25 in response to the recent increase in positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, according to the announcement, and a day later Hidalgo placed Harris County under Threat Level One.
As a result, the Bellaire Public Library is now closed to the public, and curbside pickup will resume, while online library services remain available. Virtual story times will be posted on the Bellaire Library Facebook page and will continue.
Bellaire’s Town Square Family Aquatic Center will also not reopen to the public, according to the memo, while Evergreen Pool and Elaine Wood Therapy Pool will remain open for lap swim and therapy usage only.
Camp Paseo will continue to operate, however, following established safety guidelines and procedures, while Art Camp and Theater Camps are canceled.
The fitness room at the city’s recreation center is also closed, and fitness classes will be suspended until further notice, according to the memo.
The city’s senior-focused programs are also postponed. The programs were originally scheduled to resume in July, though the Bellaire Parks and Recreation Department will offer online activities through the department’s Facebook page.
Meetings for City Council and city boards and commissions will remain in person.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and consider returning to telephonic public meetings, if deemed necessary,” Gary wrote. “A final decision will be made by the Mayor with consideration of all relevant information in the near future.”
