OG Giant Flea Market in 2014. It is usually a yearly event. Paul Goldfinger photo.
From COVID 19.NJ.gov.
TRENTON July 3: – Governor Phil Murphy today announced an increased outdoor gathering capacity limit as COVID-19 cases in New Jersey continue to decline. Effective at 6 a.m. on Friday, July 3rd, outdoor gatherings are limited to 500 persons, and outdoor religious services and political activities will continue to have no numerical limits. All indoor gatherings continue to be limited to 25% capacity of the rooms in which they will take place, with a maximum of 100 persons.
“Increasing the outdoor capacity limit has been made possible by continued progress against COVID-19,” said Governor Murphy. “The hard work of the residents of our state is allowing us to make this move, and will make it much easier to hold important events like graduation ceremonies in the coming months.”
Before today’s Order, outdoor gatherings were limited to 250 persons, with the exception of outdoor religious services and political activities.
Face coverings are required in indoor public spaces and in outdoor public spaces when social distancing is difficult to maintain.
Additional requirements for outdoor gatherings include the following:
- Require attendees to be six feet apart at all times, excluding immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners;
- Prohibit contact between attendees;
- If the event is an organized gathering, the organizer should demarcate six feet of spacing in the area of the gathering to demonstrate appropriate spacing for social distancing;
- Prohibit sharing of any physical items provided and require sanitization before and after each use; and
- Require contactless pay options wherever feasible.
The Ocean Grove Chamber of Commercials has scheduled a Giant Fall Flea Market on the Pathway, for Sept. 12, 2020. There will be over 300 vendors. The usual crowds for this mega-event run into the thousands of visitors.
They also have scheduled a Fall Festival on several downtown streets on October 10 with over 200 booths.
These events do not sound safe. Distancing will not be possible, and distancing is the best way to prevent COVID-19 transmission. Masks will be required as well, but compliance will not be enforced or totally achieved.
The above State orders don’t help us with our questions about giant flea markets nor does it tell us if outdoor yard sales are permitted.
Are any of you interested in a town-wide yard sale for October?
We have sent an inquiry to the Governor’s office.
Paul Goldfinger, MD. Blogfinger.net
ARTHUR PRYSOCK. “I Worry ‘Bout You.”
How could the Flea Market be in compliance with the restrictions? I assume a permit is required for this event, and if not there should be. The event should not take place, and if it does I won’t go anywhere near it.