Outdoor Markets in Denver must operate in a manner that prioritizes public health and safety, including implementing physical distancing and enhanced hygiene practices. This guidance shall be adhered to, at minimum, throughout the 2020 outdoor market season and is subject to change as updates regarding the progression of COVID-19 are provided by local, state, and federal public health officials. The most recent changes made are in accordance with state and city public health orders issued in response to COVID-19.
Coordinator Requirements
Coordinators are responsible for minimizing risks to guests, vendors, and market staff alike. Below are the minimum requirements for each of these groups to address the highest concerns. If a market is found to be out of compliance with any of the requirements below, or with any additional requirements set forth, whether it be by Denver or the State, the operator may be subject to enforcement action. Currently, outdoor markets shall follow the State's guidance for outdoor events, however on-site food and beverage consumption is not permitted at this time.
Capacity
Outdoor markets shall follow previous guidance of 2 market attendees per vendor or utilize the Social Distancing Space Calculator to determine the capacity of the market and the ability to maintain a 6 foot distance between non-household contacts with the outdoor market to not exceed a capacity of more than 175 people. Designated activities must occur a minimum of 50 feet from each other and must maintain separate entrances and exits. This capacity excludes staff and performers, so long as they do not join the space of patrons and have their own entrance/exit from the market.
Customers
- Adequate signage at the entrance and throughout the market to encourage the following:
- Those that are ill, especially if experiencing fever, cough or shortness of breath, shall not participate o Encourage attendees who have been in close contact with a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 (generally within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes) to stay home, self-quarantine, and not attend the market
- Covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands)
- Good hand hygiene practices
- Physical distancing while shopping and/or waiting in line to enter the market
- Wearing a face covering while in the market and/or waiting in line to enter the market
- Goal is to buy or pick up what is needed and leave as quickly as possible
- No on-site consumption of food or beverages
- Physical distancing throughout the market:
- A market layout that provides 6 foot spacing between guests with indicators such as cones, tape, etc.
- Barriers, such as fencing, that prevent access of people into the market that are not entering through the main entrance.
- A single entrance and exit point that allows for one-way traffic flow of guests through the market
- Monitor the number of guests in the market; use the social distancing calculator to know your capacity at all times.
- No seating or other means that encourage congregation at the market shall be provided, including, but not limited to chairs and tables and/or children’s activities
- Hand washing stations or access to hand sanitizer shall be made available for customers throughout market
- It is recommended that coordinators collect contact information for guests or attendees through ticket sales, reservations, RSVPs, or having sign-in sheets. Include times of arrival and departure, to help with potential exposure notification in the case someone does test positive that was at the event.
Vendors
- Physical distancing
- Adequate time and space shall be provided for load-in and load-out for all vendors
- Allow only the number of vendors that will permit spacing of at least 6 feet between booths, and permit and flow that always maintains physical distancing of guests
- Strongly recommend creating an online ordering and touchless payment system as well as curbside pick-up for customers to encourage physical distancing
- Signage for attendees that discourages touching product that is not purchase or asking guests to allow for only vendors to touch the product. Include pricing on signs that allow for attendees to know price from 6ft away
- Highly recommended that there are two individuals running any given booth, with one handling money and one handling product
Staff and Volunteers
- Those that are ill, especially if experiencing fever, cough or shortness of breath, shall not participate
- If an information booth is provided, it shall be located at the beginning of the market and focus on market requirements as they relate to COVID-19 and other requirements in this document
- All highly touched surfaces shall be disinfected at a routine frequency
- If handouts are provided at the market they shall be done so in a way to minimize human-to-human contact
- Market staff shall have a means to communicate with market attendees prior to the event to make them aware of market rules, such as a website or community social media page
- All market staff must wear face coverings at the market
- Good hand hygiene practices shall be adhered to through hand washing and/or the use of hand sanitizer
- Familiarize yourself with the Workplace Outbreak Guidance and notify DDPHE in the case there is a potential outbreak associated with your market
Retail Vendor Requirements
Retail vendors are responsible to ensure the safety and sanitation for themselves, fellow vendors and guests. A failure to comply with any mandates that apply to their business under the order may result in further enforcement action. Currently, individual vendors operating within the outdoor markets shall follow the retail requirements in the PHO as well as the requirements listed below.
All Vendors
- Those that are ill, especially if experiencing fever, cough or shortness of breath, shall not participate
- All vendors shall wear a face covering
- Encourage online payment and pre-ordering
- If payment occurs at booth, regularly disinfect payment devices with disinfecting wipes containing at least 70% alcohol. Dry surface thoroughly
- Maintain a 6-foot physical distance from other individuals
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as frequently as possible or use hand sanitizer when sinks are not available
- Vendors shall not shake hands with others
- Provide hand sanitizer for guest use to encourage good hygiene practices, especially if payment is taken onsite
Food Vendors, including Food Trucks
- All food vendors are subject to the Denver Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations
- All necessary licenses shall be obtained prior to participating in the market
- All premade products, such as baked goods, must be pre-packaged at their place of production
- Onsite prepared foods must be placed in to-go containers for offsite consumption, including food trucks
- No on-site consumptions of food or beverages purchased at the market shall be allowed
- No sampling or demos are allowed at the market
- Hand washing sinks with hot water measuring 100F, soap, paper towels and a catch basin for gray water shall be made available at the stand and cannot be shared with other vendors or guests; food trucks must have their plumbed hand washing sink functioning, as required; pre-packaged food vendors are not required to have a hand washing sink, per the Denver Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations, but to encourage hand hygiene during the pandemic, it is highly encourage all vendors have hand washing capabilities
- Food safety classes shall be completed as required for cottage food vendors and is highly recommended for all food vendors
- Post signage encouraging guests to wash hands prior to consumption of food at home; no on-site consumption of food allowed
Live Performers
- Performances or competitions must be a minimum of 25 feet distance from patrons**
- Live Performer Participants (e.g., players, performers, actors, competitors, entertainers, etc.) in events must be checked for fevers, symptoms, and exposures before or at arrival.
- Live Performer Participants (e.g., players, performers, actors) who do not feel well, have symptoms or have been in close contact with a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 should not participate and should self-quarantine.
- Where necessary, implement alternative placement of performers. If spacing is not possible, in some situations it may be suitable to install barriers to minimize transmission of aerosolized particles
- Maximize physical spacing between performers on-stage
- Performers should use a separate entrance/exit than patrons, where possible
- Disinfect high touch areas and equipment such as microphones, instruments, props, etc. between uses
- Performers must wear a face covering when not performing and when closer than 25 feet to patrons
**Research and the CDC suggest that activities like singing may project respiratory droplets in greater quantity and over greater distance, increasing the risk of COVID-19 transmission, particularly with prolonged exposure.
Massage therapist (non-healthcare setting)
- Follow all guidelines applicable to personal services, and guidelines applicable to massage therapists released by CDPHE
- Employ strict hygiene guidelines and frequent sanitization procedures for all contact surfaces and tools
- Ensure a minimum of 6 feet of separation between the clients/customers and employee when not directly performing service; further ensure a minimum of 6 feet between respective client/customer and employee stations while services are being provided
- Disinfect all service equipment (tanning beds, salon chairs, etc.) after each use
- Both guest and employee at all times shall wear face coverings
- Wear gloves as indicated by industry standards
- Wash hands and change gloves between customer