The Downtown Laramie Farmers Market for 2020 has begun, with new guidelines to keep customers and vendors safe from COVID-19.
The market itself has changed set up, with only two entrances and exits located at Garfield and 2nd. Vendors will be spaced the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommend six feet apart, with 1st street closed during market hours. Signs will be posted to direct pedestrian traffic and give detailed precautions to avoid infection. Handwashing stations will be made available at the entrance and all toilets. Face masks will also be available for purchase, with all staff and volunteers wearing their own masks.
“Market and Laramie Mainstreet staff are in charge of enforcing guidelines,” said David Sircin, the market manager, in reference to the new guidelines. Even with limited staff “volunteers will be helping with the market, particularly with counting attendees and limiting entrance when we get close to hitting our max number of occupants.”
All market employees will have their temperatures checked and recorded before the market opens each day, anyone with a fever or that is not feeling well will not be part of the market.
Vendors are required to wear gloves and face masks, and employees working with food will not be able to handle payment. Samples and interactive displays will not be allowed, as well as no self-service condiments. Food and alcohol must be packaged in takeout containers and any non-packaged food on display will have to be covered. Vendors must have hand sanitizer on their table. All vendors will be required to sign a contract on the following precautions to ensure everyone’s safety.
Vendors have been co-operative with these measures. “Many of our vendors travel regionally for other markets and understand the guidelines are pretty much on par with what markets across the country are doing to protect them and market customers,” said Sircin
Any who attend to the market will be required to line up a minimum of six feet apart and keep this distance when pursuing. Masks are not required but are encouraged. Patrons are asked not to eat on-site and allow only vendors to handle and bag merchandise that is not prepackaged. While it is highly encouraged to support the market, it is asked that everyone limit the time they spend on-site for the health and safety of everyone involved.
“I think everyone realizes that we need the guidelines and to work together to keep the market going this summer,” Sircin said. “It is a challenge, but we are working together.”
