Milford Oyster Festival Events Greatly Impacted By COVID-19 Rise

MILFORD, CT — On Friday, Aug. 20 and Saturday, Aug. 21, the Milford Oyster Festival Committee will host Oyster Eve 2021 and the 47th Annual Milford Oyster Festival, respectively.

As Milford has entered the Orange Alert Zone and new cases of COVID-19 are rising at an accelerating rate, the Milford Health Department urges residents to be "extremely cautious and vigilant" in taking precautions to protect yourselves and those around you from COVID-19 during these events.

Large events bring together multitudes of people from different households who may or may not be vaccinated to a common public space, health officials said.

The Milford Oyster Festival Committee is implementing a variety of COVID safety measures, including but not limited to elimination of activities for children under the age of 12 who are ineligible to be vaccinated, requiring proof of vaccination to enter the Main Stage concert area, changes to festival flow and general layout to promote social distancing, and access to COVID-19 vaccine for those who are unvaccinated.

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>>>Visit the Milford Oyster Festival website for details on events and schedules.

In addition to the measures being taken by organizers and officials, the Milford Health Department advises that individuals take the following precautions considering high COVID transmission rates:

• If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, have recently tested positive for COVID-19, or have pending COVID-19 test results, stay home and do NOT attend this event(s). Additionally, if you have been instructed to quarantine due to close contact with a positive case, follow your quarantine period and do NOT attend these events.

• If you or someone you live with has a weakened immune system or is at increased risk for severe disease, avoid attending this event(s).

• If you decide to attend the event(s), maintain social distance by staying 6 feet apart from people who do not live in your household.

• Strongly consider wearing a mask at the event(s) due to the current COVID-19 transmission rate and Milford’s alert zone status. While it will be outdoors, you will be in a crowded setting with high potential to be in close contact with others who may or may not be vaccinated.

For additional information regarding COVID-19 and large gatherings, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronaviru...