Larger Than Expected Crowds at Antiques Shows
Many locals were surprised about the size of crowds last weekend at the Fall Antiques Show in northern Fayette County, with some wondering whether the influx of people might lead to a spike in coronavirus cases.
Fayette County Emergency Management Chief Craig Moreau said he was also surprised at the number of people who attended.
“I was surprised at how many people were there, but people were generally following the rules,” Moreau said. “If they weren’t following the rules, a casual chat is generally all it took.”
When asked whether he had concerns about the influx of people heading into week two of the show, Moreau gave the following response:
“Not any more than before the show started,” Moreau said. “I’ve seen nothing to make me think the risk factors are anything more than what we expected. So far we haven’t had any cases come out of it. I would not be surprised at all if we do have some cases come out of it. That is likely.
“We could also have cases coming out of any other business or establishment in this County,” he said. “In fact, we have had some cases come out of other businesses since the antiques fair started.
“We’re not going to pick winners and losers,” Moreau added. “People have a right to do business.”
Moreau said his office received numerous reports last weekend of people not wearing masks at the show.
“Most of the calls we got were people who were driving down the street and saw someone not wearing a mask,” Moreau said. “Well, they’re not required to wear a mask if they’re outside. The plans that were developed say if you’re outside and can’t maintain social distance, then they need to put on a mask.”
Moreover, he said the mask wearing rule does not apply within groups of people from the same household.
“If a husband and wife are walking around the antiques fair outside without a mask, that’s not a violation,” he said. “That’s what most of the calls I’ve gotten have been.”
He said shoppers and vendors inside buildings and tents should wear a mask.