Fort Worth Venues Outline Safety Protocols Ahead of NFR

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Fort Worth venues are gearing up for Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) and more events starting Thursday through Dec. 12. This means taking extra safety precautions for COVID-19 as each location attracts more foot traffic.

Venues such as Fort Worth Convention Center, Will Rogers Memorial Center, Dickies Arena, Omni Fort Worth Hotel, Cowtown Coliseum, and Stockyards Heritage Development Co. are preparing for multiple events over the next few days, such as Christmas markets, a trade show, and NFR-sanctioned competitions.

“We are delighted to welcome such a prestigious event as the NFR from Las Vegas and fortunate to have the opportunity to showcase Fort Worth hospitality,” Mike Crum, director of public events for the City of Fort Worth, said in a statement. “Visitors and residents alike are eager to enjoy some championship rodeo and holiday shopping, and we are taking special precautions to act responsibly to ensure their health and safety. The City of Fort Worth is all set to help businesses navigate COVID-related requirements to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.” 

Precautions at the Convention Center and Will Rogers include: 

  • Training and advice from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council’s (GBAC) Star Accreditation, which helps guide facilities on thorough instructions for cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention. The staff has been trained based on GBAC guidelines, with new equipment purchased for sanitizing and cleaning each event. 
  • More than 80 hand sanitizer pedestals are strategically placed throughout the concourse and exhibit hall of the Convention Center. 
  • Will Rogers will have over 100 sanitizing stations around the facility. 
  • Masks will be required, and temperatures will be taken for all entering.
  • Free masks will be available at both facilities. 
  • Health and hygiene signage has been placed with special attention to entry doors, restrooms, and other high-traffic areas. 
  • Plexiglass barriers have been installed in all high-traffic areas.  

“We want all NFR visitors to have a safe, enjoyable experience and feel comfortable in our city,” Jason Sands, director of the Fort Worth Sports Commission, said in a statement. “Host venues, restaurants, and hotels have been working diligently to make sure we are ready to safely welcome fans from across the country.” 

Visit Fort Worth and its Fort Worth Sports Commission division are working with the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), Texas Rangers Baseball Club, City of Fort Worth departments, as well as downtown and Stockyards organizers, to help bring the safest experience possible for events such as Cowboy Carnival, Cowboy Channel Tailgate, and Hooey Fest, hosted by Stockyards Heritage Development and Cowtown Coliseum.

Some of the precautions at the Stockyards and downtown include:

  • Limiting capacities for all indoor events in the Stockyards.
  • Performing temperature checks for employees.
  • Hospitality teams wearing red jackets will be stationed on Main Street downtown and on Exchange Avenue in the Stockyards with free masks, hand sanitizer, and visitor guides. 
  • The City of Fort Worth has provided more than 500,000 disposable masks for distribution. Masks are also available at the Main Street Visitor Center, open daily from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. during the NFR event. 
  • Hospitality teams will be circulating daily, Thursday through – Dec. 12, from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. downtown and 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. in the Stockyards. 
  • Hospitality representatives will also be stationed at downtown hotels including the Omni Fort Worth, Worthington Renaissance, Sheraton, and Hilton. 
  • Temperature checks and face masks will be required for all guests entering Cowtown Coliseum. 
  • All entertainers and their crews will be temperature checked and utilize hand sanitizer prior to setting up and performing at the Stockyards.
  • A dedicated sanitation team will routinely clean high-traffic areas, and increased signage encouraging the importance of hand washing and social distancing will be placed throughout the Stockyards Heritage properties.  

Dickies Arena and the Omni Fort Worth Hotel are also taking steps to ensure guest health. Omni will be following its Omni Safe & Clean initiative; Dickies Arena's protocols are outlined on its website.

The full schedule of NFR events happening around Fort Worth is available here.

---FOO BAR