KY Department of Agriculture releases guidance on county fairs during COVID

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) released guidance this week about the ability to proceed with planning county fairs in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. The guidance and FAQ states that, at this point in time, the KDA does not believe that county fairs will be able to operate in 2020 like they have in the past due to the pandemic.

The guidance advises local county fair boards to consult their local health department and their County Judge/Executive about plans for hosting a fair, should the local board believe they are able to follow state and Centers for Disease Control guidelines. Given the fluid nature of the situation, these guidelines may be changed as more data about coronavirus becomes available.

General guidance for hosting a county fair

• Establish a timeline for making a decision about whether to have a fair; preferably make a decision about a month before the fair is set to begin;
• Review contracts and evaluate if there are any penalties for cancelations;
• Talk with key community partners and stakeholders such as the local health department, County Judge/Executive, and local cooperative extension service to develop a plan to protect public health;
• Talk with amusement ride operators about their employee safety plans during the pandemic;
• Estimate anticipated attendance; and
• Consider rescheduling your fair for later in the year.

Learn more here: https://www.kyagr.com/communications/documents/County-Fair-Guidance-FAQ.pdf