For group gatherings

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Group gatherings, by their nature, bring groups of people together to share the same space, indoors or outdoors, in close physical proximity to one another for a period of time, which enhance the risk of the spread of the disease. 

Individuals who are currently ill or who are at high-risk for COVID-19 should stay home and are encouraged to watch or participate through virtual means.

General Guidance

  • Inside city limits, public events that require a special event permit may be permitted, with restrictions. Click here to view the City of Springfield’s current orders.
  • Designate one-way flow of traffic.
  • Post signage outside any entrances to facilities that states that any attendee who has symptoms of COVID-19 should not enter.  
  • Screen all attendees for symptoms.
  • Establish a way to account for all attendees at event (e.g. sign-in sheet).
  • Require staff or volunteers to stay home if they are sick or if they report with a symptom.
  • Leave time between the end of one gathering and the beginning of the next to allow for thorough cleaning between events, in accordance with CDC cleaning and disinfection guidance.
  • Practice physical distancing requirements of 6 feet between people are met at all times.
    • Keep at least two empty seats, or two seat equivalents, between parties in any row except for members of the same household.
    • Alternate rows between attendees, whether standing or seated.
    • Attendees may not interact physically with staff, volunteers or participants at the event.
    • Utilize signage/barriers and floor/seat markers to instruct participants to remain 6 feet apart.
  • Have a plan to divert or delay entrance of people if capacity limits are reached.  
  • Use an alternative option for gathering to avoid convening people (consider virtual versus in-person).
  • Make hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes available in multiple, convenient locations.
  • If serving food at event, refer to food establishment guidance for more information.

Employee Health Guidance

  • Screen employees upon arrival to work for symptoms. 
    • Design a protocol for reporting self-monitoring before beginning shift.  
    • Use touchless thermometers to check temperatures before shift. 
  • Require employees to stay home if they are sick or be sent home if they report to work with a fever. 
  • Individuals at high-risk should continue to remain at home and not interact with others except for vital activities. 
  • Encourage respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes.  
  • Employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor and follow CDC recommended precautions. 

Cleaning and Disinfecting Guidance

  • Clean and disinfect all high-touch surfaces of activity areas. 
  • Consider closing for certain periods during the day for complete cleaning and disinfecting. 
  • When disposable wipes or other disinfecting products are not available, most common household disinfectants such as a 10% bleach solution, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol and most common EPA-registered products that states it kills viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on bottle. 
  • Chlorine solutions should be prepared fresh each day. 
    • Bleach solutions and other disinfectants should be applied using a spray bottle and disposable paper towels. 
    • Treated surfaces must be allowed to air dry before next use. 

Physical Distancing Guidance

  • Only allow as many people to enter as the building/event that can be accommodated while maintaining physical distancing and according to the applicable order. 
  • Stagger shifts and schedules for employees.
  • Increase physical space to 6 feet between employees and participants.     
  • Mark six feet spacing for customers to wait in line. 
  • Practice physical distancing requirements of 6 feet between people are met at all times.
    • Keep at least two empty seats, or two seat equivalents, between parties in any row except for members of the same household.
    • Alternate rows between attendees, whether standing or seated.
    • Attendees may not interact physically with staff, volunteers or participants at the event.
    • Utilize signage/barriers and floor/seat markers to instruct participants to remain 6 feet apart.
  • Designate one-way traffic if possible.  
  • If bathrooms are in use, have greeters/staff ensure handwashing and physical distancing is being followed. 

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