P.E.I. fairs face 'some uncertainty' they'll get go-ahead to open

The P.E.I. Association of Exhibitions (PEIAE) says it's not sure whether Island fairs and festivals will be allowed this year due to COVID-19.

Robert Wood,the president of the association, said hehasn't heard anything yet from the province, but plans to meetwith department of agriculture officials later this month.

Wood said the PEIAEwould like to make a decision soon, because many festivals are in theplanning stages right now.

"The groups are concerned because a lot of the sponsorships are for local businesses which are going to obviously be hurting in this time," he said.

"And so not only is your attendance a concern but to get those sponsors, with a local business already suffering it's tough to get any money out of them as well."

The PEIAErepresent 13 festivalsacross the Island, which begin in late June and run until the middle of September.

'It's a major festival'

Adam MacLennan, chair of the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival and president of Rock the Boat Music Fest, said this year was shaping up to be one of the biggest yet.

He said it typically takes one year to planthese festivals, and said he's still working on both events.

"For a small rural area, it's a major festival," he said.

"The local economy and the businessesthey heavily rely on this festival and you know, there's definitely some uncertainty."

MacLennan said the event has been around for a number of years and drawsanywhere between 10,000to17,000 people.

He said in the past, the festival has made more than$25,000, which it donated to the community rink.

In December, that rink was decimated in a fire.

MacLennan said a number of people contacted him, telling him they'd be at the festival this year to support the community after losing itsrink.

"We had a number of different [oyster] shuckers across the country that were reaching out and a number of different people that attended the festival off-Island from years before, said they were definitely coming this year, as what a special year it was going to be," he said.

"Unfortunately right now, that's kind of up in the air."

It would be great to see things back to normal, but in this current situation I don't think we are.- Robert Wood, PEIAE

Sandra Hodder Acorn, the general manager of Old Home Week, said everything for this year'sprovincial exhibition is already planned.

"Right now we're kind of in a holding pattern," she said.

"Old Home Week has a lot of different, moving parts 4-H is a huge component the Women's Institute is a huge component, as well as the harness racing. So it's kind of like a trickle-down effect that takes place."

Hodder Acorn said safety is the most important thing and that it will follow whatever directionit receives from the province.

"It's strange, unprecedented times.So nobody really knows what's going to take place and we'll have to go from there."

On Monday, the province's Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison,said it's still too soon to ease up onphysical distancing rules, and saidrestrictions on large gatheringswould not be one of the first measures lifted.

At Thursday's briefing, Morrison reiterated that message.

"We've said right along, that is not a measure that we would be changing as one of the early measures."

Wood said festivals such as Old Home Week can draw thousands ofpeople.

"We'd like to make a decision so that all our festivals will not be out any money before they have to," he said. "It would be great to see things back to normal, but in this current situation I don't think we are."

Wood said the PEIAEis waiting on recommendations from the public health office and will follow that advice through.

COVID-19: What you need to know

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Common symptoms include:

• Fever.
• Cough.
• Tiredness.

But more serious symptoms can develop, including difficulty breathing and pneumonia, which can lead to death.

Health Canada has built aself-assessment tool.

What should I do if I feel sick?

Isolate yourself and call 811. Do not visit an emergency room or urgent care centre to get tested. A health professional at 811 will give you advice and instructions.

How can I protect myself?

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean regularly touched surfaces regularly.
• Practisephysical distancing.

More detailed information on the outbreak is available on thefederal government's website.

More COVID-19 stories from CBC P.E.I.