Paducah city officials will discuss the situation at their Tuesday City Commission meeting, and will get an update from Purchase District Health Department Epidemiologist Lindsey Cunningham. The public is invited to attend or watch it on the city's YouTube channel beginning at 5:30 pm.
City Manager Jim Arndt says, “The COVID-19 situation changes daily, and I want the Paducah community to know that it is at the forefront of our internal conversations. The safety of our citizens is our highest priority.”
Regarding the upcoming AQS QuiltWeek, city leaders say it's proceeding as planned, but organizers are taking extra precautions, and are providing hand sanitizer. Last year, 31,000 attendees traveled from 47 states and 11 countries to participate.
AQS said in a statement, "While the government has not suggested limiting domestic travel or imposing restrictions on international inbound travel beyond those already in place, this is clearly a rapidly evolving situation. AQS is closely monitoring the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization and will fully comply with all official requirements.”
Calls to Bonnie Browning at AQS by West Kentucky Star have not been returned, but Michelle Campbell, Executive Director of the Paducah Convention Center, says she recently met with AQS officials and with folks in the hospitality industry. Campbell said attendance is not expected to drop because of any COVID-19 concerns.
Campbell said, "They have not had any vendors cancel at all, and they've had about 30 people question or ask, 'if we decided not to come, what is the refund policy?' And as far as the hospitality industry, they were not seeing a lot of calls or cancellations for that week, either."
She said it's possible that some people who haven't yet booked a trip may decide to stay home. But for those who attend, the CVB will post extra signs reminding people to wash their hands, and extra hand sanitizer will be available. Staff will also be do extra cleaning in high-traffic areas to ensure things like handrails and elevator buttons are as germ-free as possible.
AQS says they will update information on the website as new information becomes available from the CDC and WHO.
On the Net:
AQS Quilt Week Website
