Texas police forced to close aquarium twice over the weekend after multiple warnings
A San Antonio area aquarium was forced to close twice Saturday by police after officers found the business open despite city, county and state emergency declarations.
Leon Valley police closed San Antonio Aquarium on Saturday morning and again Saturday afternoon after police found the business open with patrons, and a birthday celebration that was being held Saturday afternoon at the aquarium.
The owner could not be reached for comment Monday.
Last week, Leon Valley, which is near San Antonio, was placed under the emergency declaration by city, Bexar County and Texas officials because of coronavirus.
Leon Valley Police Chief Joe Salvaggio said he had told the owner they could not open the business, but they were allowed no more than nine employees to be there to feed and care for the animals, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
Police found the business open Saturday morning with several customers in the aquarium. Officers issued a citation and told the manager to close the business.
Hours later, Leon Valley police again found San Antonio Aquarium open with more than 15 people inside for a birthday party, and 10 employees.
Officers again issued a citation and ushered everyone out of the aquarium.
Salvaggio said if the owner violates the declaration again, police will revoke the owner’s certificate of occupancy and chain the entrance doors.
“We ask for voluntary compliance as the laws are in the best interest of the public as a whole,” the police chief said. “The last thing we want to do is to have to enforce laws that have been put in place for the health, safety and welfare of the public.”
