Health official warns Pound about parade

Local health department officials are warning the town of Pound to use extra caution if it conducts another “reverse parade” holiday event Dec. 20.

On Dec. 7, regional health department environmental health manager Brad Stallard informed Town Manager Jane Bennett that his office received a complaint Dec. 6 about the first parade.

A reverse parade involves allowing spectators to drive past fixed displays and activities, instead of standing still and watching while displays and parade activities move down a street.

Apparently, some spectators got out of their vehicles, some did not wear masks and some did not practice sufficient physical distancing.

Stallard wrote that images posted on social media “depict crowds of people, likely not from the same family, gathered closer than six feet from one another,” along with depicting “dozens of attendees and participants potentially exposed to COVID-19 by this event.”

The safest course is to avoid conducting such “mass gathering” events, Stallard noted. “If a similar event is planned, it must strictly adhere” to guidelines that include “posting signage excluding anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, signage reminding patrons they must wear a face covering, and signage reminding patrons of the need to socially distance. Ten feet of separation must be maintained between performers, participants and patrons. Create a guest flow plan of modified queue lines to the event. Ensure a reduction of bottlenecks at exits. Customer-facing participants must wear face coverings.”