Springfield  -- As concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19) have grown quickly over the past several days and many large public gatherings have been cancelled due to the potential spread of the disease, the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce has given strong consideration to postponing or cancelling “A Night in Effingham,” which includes the “Taste of Effingham” food-sampling event and the Downtown Street Party with Flashback, The Party Band, scheduled for Friday evening on Laurel Street. 

Due to the local nature of the event, and because there are no confirmed or presumed positive cases of COVID-19 in Effingham County or in the surrounding counties at this time, the chamber had decided to proceed with the events.

The chamber will continue to monitor the situation in case the risk of exposure increases dramatically, and will inform ticket holders and the public immediately should a postponement or cancellation be necessary.

The chamber encourages anyone who may be of increased risk to avoid participating in “A Night in Effingham,” or other public gatherings until the global outbreak is over. Those with potential increased risk include the elderly, people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease, pregnant women, or anyone experiencing even minor symptoms associated with COVID-19 such as cough, fever or shortness of breath.

Anyone who has purchased tickets for A Taste of Effingham and now has concerns about the potential for exposure to COVID-19, can contact the chamber of commerce at (912) 754-3301 to receive a full and prompt refund.

 The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce recommends visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website (www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html) for comprehensive information about COVID-19.

More information about " A Night in Effingham" is available at the chamber’s website, www.effinghamcounty.com.