Considering those numbers, COVID-19 transmissions originating from the fair are likely, if not a sure thing, Anderson said.
“I anticipate we will have some cases,” she said. “I don’t think we’ve made a huge impact on any behaviors at the State Fair.”
Mitigation efforts remain from last year’s unique installment of the fair, including free masks and sanitizer stations located at the public entrances to indoor facilities. Jaime Parr, the fair’s deputy executive director, said extra efforts to promote social distancing also have been made, including spreading things out in livestock barns.
“We are doing a lot of the same things we put in place last year as far as mitigation tactics,” she said.
The Nebraska Department of Heath and Human Services Immunization Department has set up a station for the free COVID-19 vaccines in the Welcome Center at the Nebraska State Fair. (Independent/McKenna Lamoree)
That includes signage encouraging attendees to take appropriate precautions. Parr said that in the end the responsibility for preventing the spread of COVID-19 falls on the shoulders of fairgoers.
“We really do see that it’s up to the individual to how they maneuver through the event,” Parr said.
The absence of mandates has allowed for events like concerts to return to the fairgrounds.
“We don’t have the health mandates from the state so we’re able to have bigger events,” Parr said. She said adjustments have still been made. “We put a lot of time, effort and finances into having things in an outdoor venue.”