Linn County Expo Center COVID-19 GUIDELINES AND MITIGATION PROTOCOLS

The Linn County Expo Center – Albany is committed to running safe and controlled events and lays out the following guidelines and best practices for operation. Below you will find a comprehensive set of guidelines we have created. These guidelines are in line with state, local, and federal regulations as well as guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at 541-926-4314 or email at events.fairexpo@co.linn.or.us

GENERAL - NOT REQUIRED AT THIS TIME

• Screening and monitoring – Anyone who feels sick should stay home.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – A face mask or face covering may be required for everyone while inside any building or except while mounted on a horse. Mandates change frequently therefore latest mandates will be in affect. Necessary PPE items may be provided to all staff and officials and disposable masks may be available for exhibitors found to be not in compliance.
• Social Contract – By attending and participating in events, event management, personnel, contractors, attendees and all guests agree to follow the Linn County Expo Center protocol or will be asked to leave; they also agree to follow/respect community and local rules while visiting the area. Event management will be responsible for distributing necessary protective gear as required by state and local regulations to all guests and show personnel. We will have additional PPE on site if necessary. If someone onsite starts to show symptoms, they will be asked to leave the venue immediately.
• Social Distancing – All individuals should practice social distancing..
• Social Distancing and Mask Enforcement – LCFEC staff and additional event monitors designated by the show management will monitor and have the authority to warn and remind anyone on LCFEC property of the necessity of social distancing if required. During an event or competition, individuals who demonstrate non-compliance with social distancing or mask/face covering requirements will be promptly removed from the grounds by show management. Show personnel will document these offenses and include them in their report to management and the LCFEC. The LCFEC and show Management will address all incidents of non-compliance.
• Signage – There will be posted signage throughout the facility displaying applicable CDC, state, federal and local governmental safety advisories. Signage will also display restricted areas and important reminders for safety and Covid-19 protocols if required.

VENUE ACCESS - NOT REQUIRED AT THIS TIME

• Venue access will be granted to those individuals who are directly involved with the show. These capacities include event staff, media, vendors, volunteers, and support personnel.
• Public access and spectators may be prohibited in certain areas until further notice. We will evaluate this regulation on a weekly basis based on current conditions with the pandemic.
• Individuals may be required to sign a COVID-19 waiver to enter the venue. Wristbands may be provided to identify those who have signed the waiver.
• You also may not enter the facility if any of the following apply:
• Anyone who exhibits COVID-19 symptoms,
• Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 14 days,
• Anyone who has tested positive outside of the past 14 days, but is still symptomatic, or
• Or anyone who has been in close contact* with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 14 days (exception: Healthcare personnel who have treated patients using appropriate medical grade PPE during the course of performing professional duties are exempted from this restriction.
• * Close Contact –“Close contact” as defined by the CDC is someone who was within six (6) feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from two (2) days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, two (2) days prior to specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated. It is important to note that close contact has occurred even if one, or both individuals were wearing a mask. (Refer to CDC FAQ). Anyone who has been in contact with an individual who is confirmed or suspected to be COVID19-positive should quarantine in accordance with CDC Guidelines.
• It is strongly recommended that if people travel together in the same vehicle to an event, they should take their temperature prior to getting into the vehicle to ensure no one travels to the event with an elevated temperature.
• Event organizers will restrict access to event grounds in accordance with state and local travel and quarantine restrictions.

EQUINE STABLING AREA - NOT REQUIRED AT THIS TIME

• Stabling is configured to comply with social distancing requirements between groups to manage concentration of horses and people based on show stall assignments.
• Access to stabling areas may be restricted to riders, trainers, grooms, veterinarians, farriers, and other essential personnel only. Trainers are required to manage their barn areas and minimize the number people in the stable area. Riders from the same barn are required to respect social distancing.
• Groups congregating are prohibited; people must practice safe social distancing protocols.

EVENT OFFICE - NOT REQUIRED AT THIS TIME

• The event office will be configured to allow proper social distancing and may be restricted to essential personnel only. Event managers are encouraged to designate one individual to visit the show office as needed. Clear plexiglass protective shields may be installed in front of office staff.
• Please process entries and necessary paperwork outside the show office area to allow for social distancing.
• The amount of people in the show office may be limited to one person per show secretary at a time. If necessary, lines will form outside the office and will follow social distancing guidelines with markers delineating 6’ spacing. Only one representative per barn may come to the show office at a time.
• If needed appointment times will be utilized for individuals to receive service or meet with the show secretaries.

HOSPITALITY, CONCESSIONS - NOT REQUIRED AT THIS TIME

• Masks are required and must be worn when in food and beverage areas. You may only take your mask off when seated and eating or drinking. A mask must be worn when you are not eating or drinking. Please avoid eating in groups whenever possible.
• If you are eating or drinking outside of a dedicated Food and Beverage area, you must move at least 6’ away from others to eat or drink. Your mask must be immediately replaced when finished.

SANITATION - NOT REQUIRED AT THIS TIME

• All tables, chairs, common surfaces and equipment are sanitized routinely with disinfectant.
• Outdoor hand sanitizing dispenser stands will be placed around the facility in high touch point areas.
• Gloves may be provided for those exhibitors who wish to utilize them based on show management requirements and supply.

COMMUNICATION - NOT REQUIRED AT THIS TIME

• LCFEC will use signage, radio, phone, e-mail and online communication methods as much as possible and clearly communicate important information frequently throughout the facility. There are various speaker systems around the facility to communicate important messages.
• Multi-modal communication strategies will be utilized for ongoing updates (signage, social media, website updates, email, etc.) to establish clear lines of communication between media team, event organizers, event staff, riders and their personnel.
• All participants, staff and officials may be notified if the organizers/medical personnel learn of a confirmed case of Covid-19 at the event.

POSITIVE TEST PROTOCOL - NOT REQUIRED AT THIS TIME

• Exhibitors must notify LCFEC if they test positive for Covid-19 within 14 days of the event.
• If there has been an infected person onsite, LCFEC may temporarily shut down the appropriate areas or full venue if necessary to deep clean and disinfect (the duration of closure will align with CDC recommendations and in compliance with local health officials).
• Event Organizers may report confirmed cases including any relevant information on circumstances of transmission and contacts of the infected to assist contact tracing to local health officials within 24 hours.
• Any event delays, suspensions or cancellations will be communicated promptly to participants and the local community.
• Event Organizers may continue to monitor the WHO Mass Gathering for Sports Risk Assessment score and, if the risk increases, organizers will assess the need to delay, suspend, close or cancel the event.
• Immediately isolate and seek medical care for any individual who develops symptoms. Staff and participants with symptoms (based on self-assessment, screening etc.) will be sent home.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARTICIPANTS - NOT REQUIRED AT THIS TIME

• Event Managers are responsible for their entire group including support personnel, guests, etc. We ask that you please make sure your entire group is aware of the requirements and prepared to comply with all facility protocols.
• Show Managers should provide thermometers, hand sanitizer, gloves, masks, and other PPE deemed necessary to your staff and other personnel and encourage them to use these items on a regular basis.
• Participants should self-monitor their temperature prior to arriving to the event grounds to ensure they do not have symptoms.
• Event Managers should have a support plan in place for any member of their team that is denied access to the event due to medical concerns.