COVID concerns over Richmond Night Market crowds prompt changes

Posted July 27, 2021 11:00 am.

RICHMOND (NEWS 1130) – Organizers of the Richmond Night Market are promising to make changes after massive crowds packed into the fair this past weekend.

The crowds prompted COVID-19 concerns, with images showing people with little distance between them, and many not wearing masks.

According to organizer Raymond Cheung, about 3,000 people crammed into the Richmond Night Market for its kick off weekend.

“As you can imagine, after 16 months, there were a lot of people who were waiting for our opening. The first weekend there was a lot of visitors that were eager to come by,” Cheung told NEWS 1130.

Vancouver Coastal Health has also reached out to the Night Market about its virus concerns. The authority says in an email to NEWS 1130 operators have been told to implement stricter measures such as limiting ticket sales and “improving their communication to control the ingress/egress of people.”

VCH says it’s also urged operators to put out firm messaging around distancing and mask recommendations.

Going forward, Cheung says the Night Market will be selling fewer tickets, and that admissions will be staggered.

“This weekend, visitors can expect that it’s going to be a longer waiting time,” he explained, adding tickets will be need to be used during specified time slots. “They might have to wait for a half an hour to an hour, because we have to make sure the inside is not crowded.”

In addition to recommending the use of masks, Cheung says face coverings will be mandatory in certain areas. These areas include the food court, for example.

“Anywhere that we feel there’s a social distancing concern, or anywhere that we feel that people are too close,” he added.

Cheung says the demand this past weekend shows just how “hungry” people have been over the past 16 months.

“I saw a lot of families coming back, yelling and screaming ‘yeah we made it! We made it!'” he recalls. “There was a lot of joy and happy moments that we saw, but we also want to make sure that everybody has safe protocols in their mind as well.”

B.C. is currently in the third phase of its restart plan. Fairs, festivals, trade shows, and stand up receptions are able to return to normal operations with a communicable disease plan under this stage.

-With files from Paul James

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