**** Soulsational Covid-19 HEALTH & SAFETY PLAN in Action ****
June 2022: The following Guidelines are now being applied at Soulsational
1. How can people safely get together? What are the limits for indoor and outdoor gatherings?
2. Reopening Guidance and Restrictions FAQs
3. Paragraph 4 of Executive Order No. 204
and paragraph 2 (b-i) on pages 7 of Executive Order No. 152.
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March 2020 - May 2021: Here at Soulsational, we have been closely monitoring the spread of Covid-19 across the world and the United States. Like many others, we are deeply concerned about the potential impact of this novel virus and the safety and well-being of our friends, families, participants, and vulnerable populations. We are working closely with the county, city, state, and federal health authorities. We want to ensure that all participants are provided with accurate and up-to-date information as we move forward.
As of today, we continue to plan and execute this event and have made safety changes to apply with current health affairs. We are 100% a volunteer family, all vendor / sponsor fees go directly to the production of the event. This is a nonrefundable event for all reasons.
Again, I state, we want to do everything possible to safeguard public health and that will be our first priority as we move forward. This year’s festival has been recreated as Soulsational, The open air market experience. A smaller scale event that will encourage social space and good health practices but invigorate small business and safe community and family interaction. Like many other aspects of our daily life, we had to adapt to make it as safe as possible. Creating this day and moving forward will provide some sense of progress and normalcy which is positive in itself.
We will again create Soulsational following our redesigns of the 2020 session; a smaller event that stays true to the Soulsational mission while complying with the forever evolving town, state, and national guidance. Soulsational (9 ¾) - The open-air market experience is the event that has risen from the challenges of 2020. See what we did there - we are still saving the big Soulsational “10 year anniversary” event for a healthy year that brings us a big sigh of relief and freedom away from these uncertain times.
A redesigned Soulsational event that fits into our Covid-19 world. For 2021 (like 2020) - doing the right thing - we have removed all 100% festival congregating aspects. We removed all 100% of those things that promoted sharing of supplies, contact activities, or multiple surface touching. We removed all tighter areas of the event that encouraged closer contact between people. And we will rope off and put signage not to use communal dining tables. All those things are gone! - As we wait for the world to be saver.
Soulsational (9 ¾) - as of April 1, 2021 will be half the size it normally is because that is what we created it to be - SAFE & Responsible. We redesigned the farm market shopping rows responsibly so that it is easy and intuitive for families to stay six feet apart. Soulsational is on an enormous field and we utilized this space to separate all vendor shopping spaces by 6 feet on all 4 sides of them. We created and only welcomed activities that mimicked the state rules on outside fitness classes and summer camp like recreation activities. We have great food onsite that complies with outside dinning rules; you can picnic 6 ft apart and have a great time. We are Promoting Healthy Hygiene Practices, and each leader has access to their own stock of supplies to comply at their station. Informational Bulletins have been created to ensure broad awareness and dissemination of critical information that will be posted at the event. Leaders have reviewed Infection Prevention documentation, Infection Control resources, and proper use of PPE. Other than the Porta-Potties and Restrooms we have no indoor facility rules that need to be complied with. Please wear masks inside restrooms. Hand washing is available in the restrooms on sight and hand sanitizer has been made available outside the porta potties - like every year. Security is alert to limiting the total capacity of any outdoor area to a number that ensures that all individuals can remain six feet apart. Because the park is so big, we have separated everything a great deal, and we have eliminated 100% of the congregating activities - I would never expect this to occur within this climate of affairs.
April 1, 2021: *Vendors will be separated by an additional 6 to 10 feet of space. We are considering ourselves a mask friendly event. Vendors are encouraged to choose to wear masks and or/gloves when engaged with sales & less then 6 feet apart from someone you have not quarantined with. Those visiting the market are encouraged to wear masks if they are interacting with others within 6 feet of themselves. Payments should be collected in a manner that encourages contact-less measures when possible. All handling of merchandise must be done by each vendor. If vendors allow touching of merchandise offer hand sanitizer before commencing. No large group congregating in vendor booth areas. No more then 25 people should be around each booth area at a time. No sampling of items. Class participants will be kept 6ft between other participants. These guidelines will be updated based on township, county, and state regulations. Anyone visiting Soulsational is expected to practice social distancing and follow state regulations, as per the Governor's Executive Order, unless otherwise addressed by the State.
I’m proud of our team and what has been re-created for the commUNITY. We have created SAFEsational - a physically distancing and socially responsible family event. I, myself chose to take the time to respect other people’s feeling and physical space; and I expect all who attend to do the same. It is our expectation that people visiting Soulsational will understand the necessity of the guidelines we have put into place to protect and serve our community. I will not tolerate “hate” speech towards myself, any of my volunteers, or the attendees. We will not discriminate against others for their personal beliefs. I encourage everyone to come out to a safe outdoor, inspirational, and recreational market. Bring your families - away from the busy boardwalks and beaches - spread out a picnic blanket (6 ft away from another family) and enjoy a great day full of free things and make wonderful memories. We will get through this together! We will RISE together! Let’s show the world we can do this right and be safe, all the while supporting local small businesses and the families of our community.
Nothing can dim our light or our positive intentions to reach others. At our core we all carry a special light to shine and please do not doubt your capacity to heal, share love, and find joy of all the little things during this most challenging time. We witness firsthand the power of healing and human spirit at our event each year, and we hope to keep that light shining. We will all get through this, together! We will RISE, Together, as a CommUNITY!
In closing, It is our expectation that people visiting Soulsational will understand the necessity of the guidelines we have put into place to protect and serve our community. You are part of the Solution. As we accomplished in 2020 - Lets show the world we can do this together, we can do this right, and be safe.
Additional facts are on the website at www.soulsational.info by clicking COVID-19 Soulsational Response Plan.
Should I Wear A Face Mask/ Covering? – We are a mask friendly event. Face masks
are only required by NJ mandate in an outside park setting when within 6ft of
someone you do not know. You do not have
to and can use personal preference when wearing a mask when you maintain 6ft+
distance. Face coverings are recommended by the state guidelines when social
distancing cannot be maintained. Face coverings are not recommended for
children under the age of 2. Face
coverings are not recommended for volunteers or attendees when doing so would
inhibit the individual’s health. HIPAA mandates that everyone has the right to
their private health information. Visitors
should wear a mask when you are in and around: Restrooms or when making a Sales
Transaction. Masks will be available to purchase on site. Keep 6 feet of social
distance between yourself and others. If you are visiting a park, do not leave
home without your mask! We respect that someone may not be able to wear a mask
due to health reasons. You don’t have to wear the mask when with your family
but be sure to #MASKUP around others.
Learn more about how to visit parks safely from the CDC:
bit.ly/2zHfKDQ
