Coronavirus: Pflugerville Closes Park Pavilions, More UPDATED

PFLUGERVILLE, TX — All park pavilions, playscapes and volleyball/basketball/tennis court areas in Plfugerville were ordered closed on Sunday effective immediately in light of the growing new coronavirus threat, city officials announced on Sunday.

The aim of the closures is to promote physical distancing while discouraging social gathering, officials explained in a press advisory. In its original press release, the city said all parks and areas within them would be closed. A more precisely written advisory later was issued, detailing parks would remain open even as the listed elements would be closed.

The closures come after health officials have recommended people keep a distance of six fee from each other to prevent potential spread of the respiratory illness now called COVID-19.

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City, local homeowner association (HOA) parks and Pflugerville Independent School District parks, pavilions and playground areas are included in the closure, city officials noted. The closure also includes dog parks and the skate spot. All parks are closed until further notice, city officials said.

City trails will remain open for active use within the current permitted constraints of social and physical distancing of up to 10 people, according to the notice.

For additional information on citywide closures and efforts to prevent and limit COVID-19, residents are directed to visit www.pflugervilletx.gov/virus.

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have triggered outbreaks in the past. To date, there have been 304 positive cases of the respiratory ailment detected across the state, including 5 fatalities, according to continually updated figures from the Texas Department of State Health Services.