IMC is continually monitoring guidance issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), industry groups, and others. We have reviewed the reopening plans of some of the key players in the office, retail, hospitality, and gaming sectors for best practices, consulted with suppliers and service contractors, and have tracked mandates and recommendations of federal, state, and local governments for the jurisdictions in which IMC operates. In addition, IMC has engaged an Emory University-based epidemiologist, Dr. Carlos del Rio, to consult in the preparation and implementation of our procedures. Finally, IMC has tapped a cross-functional team on its own staff to produce a set of protocols for our facilities. Our requirements for operating daily business and Markets are detailed here and may be added to or adjusted at any time as new information becomes available.

What to Expect When Visiting Our Buildings

Atlanta (effective November 11, 2021)
The City of Atlanta announced it has lifted the public indoor mask mandate for the city amid declining COVID-19 case numbers. Based on this and CDC recommendations:

  • Masks are optional in the common areas of the AmericasMart campus for vaccinated individuals
  • Masks should continue to be worn by unvaccinated individuals

High Point (November 15, 2021)
The Guilford County Board of Commissioners lifted the public indoor mask mandate for local businesses in Guilford County which encompasses High Point, Greensboro and Jamestown. This decision was based on declining COVID-19 case numbers in the local area. Based on this and CDC recommendations, we are adjusting our Protocols for our High Point Campus.

  • Masks are optional in the common areas of IMC’s High Point properties for vaccinated individuals
  • Masks should continue to be worn by unvaccinated individuals

Las Vegas
In line with local guidance, IMC requires masks upon entry to the our buildings regardless of vaccination status and will monitor usage in common areas.

All Cities
As always for all of our campuses tenants are responsible for their own spaces and may choose to require masks in their showroom regardless of vaccination status if so desired.

We will continue to encourage social distancing by metering people into the market and onto elevators and escalators. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide further guidance as the situation changes.

  • Building access points will be controlled to manage the flow of customers at entrances and exits.
  • To minimize queueing at registration stations, , all attendees are strongly encouraged to pre-register online.
  • When worn, masks must cover the nose and mouth of the wearer and may be of the reusable, fabric variety or three-ply disposable masks


More Information

  • Face Shiels

    • Hand sanitization stations will be located throughout campus. 
    • Physical distancing measures for foot traffic, queues, restroom access, and otherwise will be implemented as needed or mandated. 
    • Everyone on campus is encouraged to wash hands thoroughly with soap for at least 20 seconds approximately once per hour, and after using the restroom, coughing, sneezing, touching the face, blowing the nose, cleaning, smoking, eating, or drinking. The use of hand sanitizer is advised when washing is not practical. 
    • If you have been exposed to COVID, please follow CDC guidelines for quarantine and testing prior to coming to market. 

     

    The Guilford County Board of Commissioners recently voted to require masks indoors for residents and businesses as of August 13, 2021. IMC will require masks upon entry to its buildings and will monitor usage in common areas. All guests/visitors/customers/employees must wear masks at all times while inside building public common areas on campus (e.g., hallways, restrooms, elevators, lobbies, etc.), regardless of vaccination status. As has been our policy throughout the pandemic, tenants are responsible for monitoring mask compliance within their own showrooms.   We will continue to monitor guidance as we approach pre-market and market and will make adjustments as appropriate.

    Covid-19 Testing Sites Near Campus

    While not required for entry at Market, visitors interested in Covid-19 testing near campus may use the below links:  

    Additional Covid-19 Testing Site Near High Point Market (information provided by HPMA)

    If you wish to be tested for COVID-19 while at High Point Market, our preferred vendor is Bethany Medical, with two nearby locations to serve Market guests (819 N. Main Street or 507 Lindsay Street). Both Rapid Antigen and PCR tests are available. They are $150 each, or, if you desire both, the cost is $200. 

    Advanced reservations are strongly encouraged. Please visit this link – https://bit.ly/bethanycovid – and complete the form. 

    • Please provide your name, phone number (be sure to select country of origin if international), and email address.
    • When asked to select a location, select “COVID-19 & Flu Testing” instead of a location. 
    • You will be contacted by phone within 24 hours to secure a time slot at either the N Main St or Lindsay St location, whichever can serve you faster. 
    • Once tested, results are guaranteed within 48-72 hours. They will be emailed to the address you provided with the form. 

    Go Anywhere shuttles can be utilized to get individuals to the testing site. Please call 336-887-RIDE (7433) to request a shuttle. 

    Enhanced Housekeeping Measures

    In early March 2020, IMC took steps to enhance its housekeeping measures in response COVID-19. These enhancements to the cleaning specifications stress frequent, meticulous cleaning of the campuses, with particular emphasis on the utilization of EPA List N chemicals or products for the cleaning and disinfection of the high-touch points of the facilities. 

    Transportation & Parking

    All vendors that we partner with, such as shuttle operators, will be required to adhere to the same standards as IMC staff. Masks are required for all riders on market shuttles. 

    Accommodations

    Our housing partners have compiled tips for a healthy hotel stay and Las Vegas hotel statements on new or extended hygiene and sanitation processes, and other national hotel and accommodations brand policies are detailed below.

    Dining & Amenities

    All vendors that we partner with for daily or Market operations will be required to adhere to the same standards as IMC staff. 

    For buyers, concessions will be administered solely by contracted national providers with offerings organized around pre-wrapped, “grab-and-go” options as well as staff-served buffet offerings. 

    For exhibitors, all catering vendors must abide by temporary restrictions due to COVID-19, including that all food and beverage must be individually packaged or served in a way which reduces touching from multiple people. When planning catering needs, physical distancing should be followed inside showrooms. Exhibitors must follow the detailed Operating guidelines found below.  

    Tenants & Staff

    Our tenants, employees, and any temporary staff we employ will be subject to all of the protocols listed above as they relate to PPE, physical distancing, and hygiene. All IMC staff, temporary staff and vendors are required to wear masks during markets within building common areas (lobbies, restrooms, corridors, exhibit halls, vertical transportation, etc). Vaccinated staff do not need to wear masks in IMC offices, however unvaccinated staff must continue to wear masks. 

    Tenant and Exhibitor Operating Guidelines

    The Health & Safety Task Force at International Market Centers has been working to update operating guidelines for Tenants and Exhibitors to implement during Markets. These guidelines include food and beverage policies, registration changes, mask policies, showroom capacities, security, logistics and more. 

    Protective Measures for Freight

    Procedures are in place to minimize the risk of introduction of COVID-19 into our properties through the receipt, handling and delivery of tenants’ freight or of bulk supplies procured by IMC. These measures include: 

    • Use of PPE by freight handlers. 
    • Requirement that all tenant freight must be palletized, shrink-wrapped or crated to minimize the need for individual handling. 
    • Use of portable, foggers and mechanical sprayers which can be used to disinfect an inbound freight shipment before it is delivered to the showroom, the interior of a trailer prior to unloading, or forklifts, pallet jacks, floats and freight elevators used for conveyance into the building. 
    • Staggering dock appointments to minimize tenant-to-tenant contact. 
    • Requiring, on an interim basis, that IMC personnel move all freight, suspending temporarily the practice of lending equipment to tenants. Similarly, IMC personnel would have exclusive control of the freight elevators to maintain elevator occupancy in keeping with social distancing protocols, and to ensure that freight elevators do not become an access point to the building, bypassing screening procedures. 

    Additionally, the following are detailed statements from local transportation providers: 

    Documents & Links

    It will not be possible to eliminate entirely the risk that a tenant, employee or visitor will come into contact with the Coronavirus – or with someone who is carrying it – despite the measures outlined above. We believe, however, that the proper and consistent implementation of these protocols will make IMC’s campuses as safe as can reasonably be achieved, and far safer than many public environments.