DU QUOIN, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) Tuesday announced mitigations to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant during the upcoming Du Quoin State Fair and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all fairgoers. The Du Quoin Fairgrounds are located in Perry County which is currently experiencing high transmission rates of the virus.

Pursuant to CDC and IDPH guidance, all fair attendees, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear masks in public indoor settings. Additionally, all Grandstand concert goers must wear masks to all performances. Masks will be provided at the grandstand upon entrance as well as in other locations throughout the fairgrounds and must be worn over the nose and mouth indoors and for the duration of all grandstand performances.

Additional mitigations for the 2021 Du Quoin State Fair include:

• Fairgoers who are unvaccinated are encouraged to wear masks at all times while attending the Fair. Anyone who is sick or exhibiting any of the following symptoms, including: cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, muscle pain or sore throat, should not attend the Du Quoin State Fair.
• Masks are required for all (including vaccinated individuals) in public indoor settings on the fairgrounds, including: First Heat, Second Heat, SI Center and Expo Hall.
• Masks are required for Grandstand ticket holders.
• Masks are encouraged for participants and attendees of the Twilight Parade.
• Illinois Department of Public Health will have three vaccinations sites on the fairgrounds:

o Main Street
o Midway Drive
o IDPH Tent Located on Grandstand Avenue

• Carnival workers, vendors and concessionaires are required to wear masks and are responsible for assisting in the cleaning of adjacent sitting and picnic table areas.
• Carnival will use fogger machines with a 72-hour disinfectant on all rides.
• Fogger machines will be used to clean the Grandstand and Expo Hall every evening.
• Dedicated crews to clean high touch areas, including restrooms, barns and common eating areas.
• Hand-washing stations and mounted and portable hand sanitizers throughout the grounds.

“As the Delta variant circulates in Illinois and across the country, we want to remind people about what they can do to stay safe,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “Vaccination is your best protection against COVID-19 and its variants. Masking, distancing, testing, and washing your hands are also important tools to help slow the spread of these viruses.”

“The safety of our attendees has and will always be our first priority at the Du Quoin State Fair,” said Jerry Costello II, IDOA Director. “We will continue to offer a world-class entertainment and agricultural showcase while prioritizing the health and safety of attendees.”

As a reminder, people are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The Du Quoin State Fair is August 27 – September 6 in Du Quoin, Illinois.