Balloon Fiesta COVID vaccine proof still up in the air
"We’re currently following the CDC’s guidelines, which includes masks be mandatory indoors, as well as outdoors in crowded outdoor settings," Sam Parks, Director of Operations at Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, said.
"We’re currently following the CDC’s guidelines, which includes masks be mandatory indoors, as well as outdoors in crowded outdoor settings," Sam Parks, Director of Operations at Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, said.
Balloon Fiesta is less than two weeks away, and Albuquerque city officials say they're more than ready to keep visitors and staff safe against COVID-19.
"We're aligned, we're on board, and we're taking off," Mayor Tim Keller (D) of Albuquerque, said.
Officials said final preparations are well underway for the 49th annual celebration.
While the event was canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Mayor Keller says this year's affair is still a go.
Over 100,000 people from around the world are estimated to attend the 2021 event.
"We know that there's still a lot of issues with respect to COVID, but we're seeing numbers plateau and taper off a little bit, and I think that's encouraging," Mayor Keller said.
Balloon Fiesta staff say they're prepared to handle big crowds with the help of COVID-19 safety measures.
"All of our tables and chairs will be cleaned, in between sessions," Sam Parks, director of operations at Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, said. "We have sanitation stations at all of our rest areas, as well as throughout the entire park."
Face masks and social distancing will also be required, policies which abide by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's public health order and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest guidelines.
"That's the best thing that we can do right now, until we get the new public health order and we can analyze it and determine what the best course of action at the time," Interim Chief Gene Gallegos with Albuquerque Fire Rescue, said.
City officials say COVID-19 vaccines may be necessary, but a final decision has not been made.
"We're watching what's happening at the [New Mexico] state fair, and what requirements have occurred there," Lawrence Rael, Chief Operations Officer for the City of Albuquerque, said.
Nevertheless, officials say they will do everything they can to keep visitors safe.
"The key thing is that we all need to do our part, right?" AFR Interim Chief Gallegos, said. "So, all of us will be out there asking people to continue to follow the rules."
Officials add COVID-19 safety protocols could change during Balloon Fiesta.