Occupancy restrictions have changed: What it means for local events

Gov. Tom Wolf has revised COVID-19 mitigation orders regarding events. Previously, the occupancy for both indoor and outdoor events were based on venue size, with a sliding occupancy limit scale, but the new order calls for 15% of maximum occupancy for indoor events and 20% for outdoor events, regardless of venue size.

Here is what that means for events in the area:

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust said this order does not affect them.

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade has already been canceled.

The Pittsburgh Marathon has already been canceled.

HOME AND GARDEN SHOW

The Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show announced that the annual event will be postponed to October after being scheduled to take place between April 9 and April 18 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

“At the present time the state’s current occupancy restrictions for Pennsylvania do not accommodate large indoor gatherings, and it remains uncertain when the state might be able to sufficiently relax those limits,” according to a news release from the event.

The specific October dates for the postponed event will be announced later this spring.

“While we had hoped to open in some capacity this April, it is clear that more time is required to address the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Executive Director John DeSantis. “We are, of course, encouraged by the vaccine becoming widely available and by the rapid drop in cases. There has certainly been a turning point. Like many, we expect that this summer will mark the gradual return to relative normal, but our first concern must always be the health and safety of our guests.”

DeSantis added: “Postponing the show to October 2021 will assure that this much-loved event can return with the exhibits, features, celebrity presentations and attractions that shoppers expect from the Home & Garden Show. Show attendees can be confident that they and their families will be safe and comfortable while enjoying their visit. The steadfast support and encouragement that we have received from our exhibitors, sponsors, the Convention Center, and of course our many longtime show visitors, has been truly overwhelming.”

The show will also expand to a twice-a-year format, in the spring and fall.

“Even though it took a pandemic to push our hand, this ‘Fall Edition’ in October will also be our ‘First Annual’ — to be followed five months later by the original show’s 40th Anniversary celebration in March 2022. Then, in October 2022, the Fall Edition will be rolling back around.”

The Home & Garden Show also is launching the 2021 Show Buyers Guide on March 1 to provide for those folks who have projects they really want to be shopping for this spring. This free online resource, found at PghHome.com, lists every exhibit by product category, including direct links to all of the exhibitor websites.

“We’ve created our Show Buyers Guide so it is exactly what our visitors find at the show itself: the region’s most trusted marketplace,” said DeSantis. “Until October, when you can actually touch the merchandise and meet the experts, the Show Buyers Guide will help everyone in the region tackle those projects.”

This story will be updated as organizations inform us of their plans.

Pennsylvania’s travel restrictions lifted, gathering restrictions revised

Cox Media Group