The Virginia Governor’s Horse Show Procedures has published the following requirements that pertain to horse and livestock shows in Virginia during this phase of the Covid 19 public health rules.
Scope: Indoor and outdoor horse and other livestock shows. Phase 3: Horse and other livestock shows must either implement the following mandatory requirements or they must not take place.
Mandatory Requirements:
Participants and organizers of horse and other livestock show activities must strictly adhere to the physical distancing guidelines, enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices, and enhanced workplace safety practices provided in the “Guidelines for All Business Sectors” document.
Participants and organizers of horse and other livestock shows must adhere to the following additional requirements for such activities:
Post signage at the entrance that states that no one with a fever or symptoms of COVID-19, or known exposure to a COVID-19 case in the prior 14 days, is permitted in the establishment.
Post signage to provide public health reminders regarding physical distancing, gatherings, options for high risk individuals, and staying home if sick (samples at bottom of this document).
Create a guest flow plan of modified queue lines to and within the facility. Determine areas likely to become bottlenecks or pinch points and adjust guest flow accordingly.
Install visible markers for queue lines that separate people by six feet of physical distance. Sample markers are available in the VDH Business Toolkit.
Create and display physical distancing communication tools, including static signs, kiosks, audio announcements, or video announcements. Signage should include the requirement to wear face coverings at all times and to maintain six feet of physical distance between people who do not reside in the same household. Sample signage is available in the VDH Business Toolkit.
Reconfigure seating areas to allow six feet of physical distance between individuals by eliminating and closing select tables or seating areas, or by spreading them out to allow for adequate spacing.
Ensure facility exits are configured to reduce the occurrence of bottlenecks and large gatherings. The total number of attendees (including both participants and spectators) of livestock and horse shows cannot exceed the lesser of 50% of the occupancy load of the venue, if applicable, or 250 persons. For shows held in a barn, stable, or ring, attendees are limited to 250 persons per structure or assigned area.
Ensure anyone who has symptoms of, has tested positive for, or has been exposed to COVID-19 follows appropriate guidelines for quarantine or isolation. Persons with symptoms should stay home until CDC criteria for ending isolation have been met. Persons with severe symptoms may need to be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Establish procedures for safely transporting anyone who is sick to their home or to a healthcare facility. If you are calling an ambulance or bringing someone to the hospital, try to call first to alert them that the person may have COVID-19.
Conduct daily screening of trainers, officials, staff, participants, and other attendees for COVID-19 symptoms prior to admission to the venue/facility. Children should be screened per the CDC guidance for screening children. Adults should be asked if they are currently experiencing fever (100.4°F or higher) or a sense of having a fever, a new cough that cannot be attributed to another health condition, new shortness of breath that cannot be attributed to another health condition, new chills that cannot be attributed to another health condition, a new sore throat that cannot be attributed to another health condition, or new muscle aches that cannot be attributed to another health condition or specific activity (such as physical exercise). Anyone experiencing symptoms should not be permitted on show grounds. Screenings should be conducted in accordance with applicable privacy and confidentiality laws and regulations.
All shared items must be disinfected between each use to the extent practicable.
Employees should wear face coverings in customer-facing areas that cover their nose and mouth using CDC Use of Cloth Face Coverings guidance.
Require all people inside the show grounds, unless mounted on a horse, to wear a face covering.
Provide hand washing or sanitizing stations at the reception area and throughout the entire facility for employee and attendee use.
Best Practices: In addition to the requirements provided above, management must utilize the following best practices to the extent they are feasible:
Utilize online entries and payment by credit card.
Designate one representative to handle the entire barn or stable’s interface with the show and event offices.
Adhere to physical distancing guidelines and utilize face coverings when in the show office.
Install sneeze guards in front of commonly used point-of-sale or guest service stations.
Clean and disinfect all tack, equipment, and surfaces that others may come in contact with or handle frequently. This includes golf carts, tack trunks, reins, halters, lead ropes, and other common show items.
Maintain at least six feet of physical distance in the show ring.
Encourage competitors, trainers, riders, grooms, owners, competition staff, and parents to leave as expeditiously as possible after their competition.
Limit those on the show grounds to competitors, trainers, riders, grooms, owners, competition staff, and parents or other adults attending as a minor’s guardian. No spectators, extended family, or friends should be allowed on competition grounds.
Include current COVID-19 guidelines in the show’s protocols and entry procedures.
Require attendees to keep dogs under control and confined or leashed at all times. Dogs can potentially come in contact with multiple people if loose on competition grounds. They must be confined and/or leashed.
Require all current entry agreements and addendums that cover COVID-19 to be signed and returned to the show office prior to competing.
Pam Dent
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