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Governor Cuomo Announces Additional Guidance for
County Fairs and Local Festivals
Published: May 17, 2021 at 06:15 p.m.
By: Press Release from Governor Cuomo’s Office
Governor Cuomo Announces Additional Guidance for
County Fairs and Local Festivals
Local Governments
Must Permit County Fairs and Local Festivals; State DOH Approval for Events
of 5,000+ Attendees
Capacity Limits
for Fairs and Festivals Will Be Based on Space Available to Maintain Social
Distancing, Unless Attendees Provide Proof of Full Vaccination Status
Fairs and
Festivals May Require Masks for All Attendees; Per CDC Guidance Masks are
Required for Unvaccinated Attendees in Certain Settings and Indoors Where
Vaccination Status is Unknown
Governor Andrew
M. Cuomo today announced additional guidance for county fairs and local
festivals throughout New York. Local governments must permit county fairs
and local festivals and consider COVID-19 health guidelines this year.
State Department of Health approval will be required for events with over
5,000 expected attendees, consistent with existing review process. County
fairs and local festivals must ensure that the total number of attendees is
limited so that six feet of distance can be maintained between individuals
who are not members of the same party, unless all attendees present proof
of full vaccination status. Fairs and festivals may require masks for all
attendees, and per CDC guidance masks are required for
unvaccinated attendees in certain settings, and indoors where
vaccination status is unknown.
"Fairs and
festivals are huge economic generators for communities across the state,
and last year they were all put on hold due to
the COVID pandemic," Governor Cuomo said. "As
more New Yorkers get vaccinated and we continue to keep the positivity and
hospitalization rates down, we are readjusting our reopening strategy and
allowing more events and attractions to resume. This new guidance will
allow our county fairs and local festivals to open at the greatest capacity
possible so they can remain economically viable, while still ensuring
public health and safety."
The State's
industry-specific guidance must be followed for the applicable activities
and attractions present at any fair or festival, such as amusement and
family entertainment, food and beverage service,
performing arts and entertainment. The applicable Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention guidance, such as "Guidance
for Organizing Large Events and Gatherings," should also be
consulted, as appropriate.
In addition to
capacity limits, social distancing and any mask requirements, county fairs
and local festivals should consider the following as they plan for this
year's festivities:
- Attendee Contact Information: Fairs and
festivals should encourage at least one attendee from each party to
sign in during ticketing, or before or immediately upon entering the
event space, providing their name, address
and phone number for use in potential contact tracing efforts.
- Health Screening: Fairs and festivals
must implement health screening for all individuals including
questions on any COVID-19 symptoms, close contacts, recent
positive COVID-19 test result, and compliance with State's travel
advisory. Screening may be performed via signage, at ticket purchase,
by e-mail/website, by telephone, or by electronic survey before
individuals enter the event space.
- Hand Hygiene: Fairs and festivals must
provide hand washing stations or hand sanitizing supplies for common
areas and areas where hand washing facilities may not be available or
practical.
- Cleaning and Disinfection: Fairs and
festivals must regularly clean and disinfect, focusing on high-traffic
areas, such as restrooms, and frequently touched surfaces, such as
service counters and seats.
- Communication: Fairs and festivals must
post signage informing attendees of health precautions (e.g., social
distancing, masks, hand hygiene) and distance markers indicating
six-foot spaces in areas where lines form or people congregate, unless
all attendees are fully vaccinated.
- Applicable Guidance: Fairs and festivals
should consult the State's guidance for their specific activities and
attractions, such as performing arts and entertainment, amusement and
family entertainment, food and beverage service, retail and market
service, agricultural activities and sports and recreation.
Today's
announcement builds on Governor Cuomo's recent measures to further reopen
the economy given significant progress in vaccinations and sustained
reduction in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. As of yesterday, 62
percent of New York's adults had received at least one vaccine dose and 52
percent had completed their vaccine series.
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