UPDATE: ON MARCH 12, THE HIGH POINT MARKET AUTHORITY MADE THE DECISION TO POSTPONE SPRING MARKET UNTIL JUNE
On the heels of the recently announced postponements of the Light+Building show in Germany next week, the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair and the Salone del Mobile furniture show in Milan in April, the High Point Market Authority wants to assure attendees and exhibitors at the twice-yearly furniture market that it is closely monitoring coronavirus (COVID-19) updates from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), United States Department of State, and other concerned organizations.
“These updates give us no reason to revise our Spring Market schedule,” a statement from the High Point Market Authority read, adding, “As the safety of our guests is our top priority, we are taking all necessary precautions.” These include:
- Maintaining the medical services that are in place for all Markets
o A medical unit provided by Wake Forest Baptist Health will be in the Market district to handle minor care
o A fully stocked ambulance, maintained by Piedmont Triad Ambulance and Rescue will be on site and working in tandem with the medical unit
o Guilford County and High Point Fire EMS teams will be on the street to act as first responders
o An emergency alert system, instituted in October 2019, will deliver text message alerts for weather emergencies, health concerns, and security situations to all Market guests who opt in by texting HPMKT to 777-888
- If necessary, we are prepared to provide an exterior guest screening area at the medical unit, and the ambulance will be standing by to assist with any quarantine requirements
- Procedures developed in response to past concerns about possible Ebola and SARS outbreaks are in place and ready to be implemented
- We have also instituted more stringent housekeeping procedures, including
o More frequent wiping of surfaces that are frequently touched
o Installation of more hand sanitizer stations
o Encouraging all food service vendors to have employees wash their hands more frequently, and to make alcohol-based hand gel/rub available at every food station and table
“We expect robust attendance at Spring Market, except from those countries that are significantly affected by the virus and those places where governments have instituted travel bans,” the statement from The High Point Market Authority said. “We look forward to seeing you at High Point Market, April 25-29.”
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