Rochester Downtown Alliance updates COVID-19 guidance for events
Release Date: August 25, 2021
Media Contact: Katie Adelman
Rochester Downtown Alliance
Office: 507-216-9886
Email: kadelman@downtownrochestermn.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rochester Downtown Alliance updates COVID-19 guidance for events
ROCHESTER, Minn.—Based on updated guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control, and in consultation with Olmsted County Public Health Services, the Rochester Downtown Alliance staff will strongly recommend masks for all attending and participating in Thursdays Downtown and Movies in the Park.
“The Rochester Downtown Alliance puts safety of attendees, vendors, partners, volunteers, and event staff as the highest priority. We are implementing new COVID-19 recommendations for Thursdays Downtown going forward as of this week and for our final Movies in the Park Saturday,” said Holly Masek, RDA executive director.
The RDA will be implementing the following:
- Strongly recommending all attending and participating in the two events to wear masks or face covering, particularly when physical distancing cannot be observed.
- Sanitizing between customers as best as possible.
- Encouraging all attendees to respect physical distancing in so far as is possible.
- Encouraging especially vulnerable people, including unvaccinated and immunocompromised, to consider not attending Thursdays Downtown or attending between 2 and 4 p.m. when crowds are reduced, and physical distancing is easier to observe.
“These are not easy decisions,” said Masek. “We have three final weeks of Thursdays Downtown for our community to come together for this tradition and continue to support the participating small business community as they recover from a very challenging year. Our understanding is that under current conditions, this outdoor event can be produced and attended with minimized risk, providing the recommended precautions are followed. We need everyone’s cooperation in keeping our community safe and thank everyone in advance for observing these COVID-19 recommendations.”
RDA staff will continue to monitor COVID-19 conditions, communicate with public health officials, and follow all suggested guidelines on a weekly basis.
With questions, please direct questions to Kanika Couchene, RDA director of events and strategic partnerships, at kcouchene@downtownrochestermn.com or 507-216-9884.
Visit DowntownRochesterMN.com/ThursdaysDowntown for and follow Downtown Rochester, Minnesota on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for future updates
About Thursdays Downtown
Thursdays Downtown combines arts, music, food, and a vendor market into one free community-uniting, block-party-style event. Since 2004, it has grown into a large music and arts festival that draws 20,000+ people and approximately 115 unique vendor each week.
About the Rochester Downtown Alliance
The Rochester Downtown Alliance is a nonprofit corporation comprised of a broad range of people representing property owners, business leaders, the city and others with a direct stake in enhanced business and economic development conditions in the downtown district. We work together to build a vibrant downtown community. We believe a strong core positively impacts the greater city of Rochester. Through a series of special events, activities, and initiatives, we create energy, excitement, and a unique character to Downtown Rochester, Minnesota.
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