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Windsor’s downtown farmer’s market still ‘one of the safest events in the area’, organizers say – following public notice from the health unit of possible exposure to COVID-19 during the event.

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In a statement Thursday, the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association noted that the notice is the first of its kind for the event since the start of the pandemic.

“We have taken every precaution from day one,” said Brian Yeomans, president of DWBIA. “This is a very isolated incident.

“I’m really confident in the way we’ve done things… We’ve seen, on average, between 1,000 and 2,000 downtown visitors per week for 40 weeks now. “

The weekly outdoor market has been held every Saturday morning on Pelissier Street in Maiden Lane West since the beginning of May.

According to the opinion of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, the potential exposure to COVID-19 occurred on Saturday, September 11, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Anyone who attended the event on that date is urged to monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 until at least September 25.

High-risk contacts of the case affected by the notification are contacted directly by the health unit.

Yeomans said the DWBIA and the Farmers’ Market have continued to come together and maintain all provincial and municipal COVID-19 prevention measures.

These include on-site handwashing stations, contactless trash cans, surveillance of two main entrances for the event, provision of masks and disinfectants at each entrance, and encouragement of physical distancing.

All salespeople are required to wear personal protective equipment, post physical distance signage, and deal with one customer at a time.

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“The safety and well-being of market visitors, vendors, volunteers and staff are of paramount importance to DWBIA and the Farmers’ Market,” the association said.

Yeomans said the Farmers’ Market is seen as an essential place to work and has proven its importance to the community – providing access to fresh, local food and produce while supporting independent businesses and revitalization. urban.

Yeomans added that there was a representative from the health unit on site every week. “We have done everything necessary to maintain a safe environment. “

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There are no plans to change the schedule for the downtown Windsor Farmer’s Market, which will continue its hours on Saturdays (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) until December 13.

To learn more about the Windsor Town Center Farmer’s Market, check out www.downtownwindsor.ca/farmers-market.

Yeomans said the DWBIA is also moving forward with plans for a weekly downtown night market, to be held every Friday evening on the open first floor of the Pelissier Street parking garage (406 Pelissier Street).

The night market is scheduled to start on October 8. Hours will be 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., with COVID-19 protocols in place identical to those at the Saturday morning farmer’s market.

Yeomans said the night market will focus on unique, handcrafted and locally made products. To this end, the DWBIA is looking for artists, artisans and craftspeople to participate as vendors.

Each seller will have a space of 10 feet by 10 feet, as well as free parking. The participation fee is $ 20 for DWBIA members, $ 30 for non-members.

To register as a Night Market Vendor, visit www.downtownwindsor.ca/nightmarket.

Yeomans said he also hopes the night market will become “a space for community connections and conversations.”