Illinois State Fair officials have announced a new indoor masking requirement for the fair, less than a week before the fair begins and just days before livestock move into the fairgrounds.

Everyone at the fair, regardless of vaccination status will be required to wear masks in public indoor settings. Those buildings include:

IDOA and the governor’s office have not responded to questions regarding whether juniors or adults showing livestock in the Livestock Center or the Coliseum will need to wear masks while they’re in the ring, nor how mask wearing will be enforced.

In addition, everyone attending grandstand events must wear masks to all performances, and ticketholders for the grandstand track area (standing room only for concerts) have to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to the concert.

The joint announcement comes from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

“The safety of our attendees has and will always be our first priority at the Illinois State Fair,” said Jerry Costello II, IDOA director. “We will continue to offer a world-class entertainment and agricultural showcase while prioritizing the health and safety of attendees.”

Officials also recommend unvaccinated fairgoers wear masks at all times, and that anyone who is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 should not attend the fair. IDOA says they’ll provide masks at locations throughout the fairgrounds, and they’ll require masks to be worn over the nose and mouth indoors.

In addition, carnival rides will be cleaned with a 72-hour fogger disinfectant, and fogger machines will be used to clean the Grandstand, Coliseum and Multi-Purpose Arena between each event. Dedicated crews will clean restrooms, barns, common eating areas and other high-touch areas, and trams were not planned for this fair. The IDPH will offer six vaccination sites located throughout the fairgrounds, including near the Orion Samuelson junior livestock building and the Livestock Center.