Citing concerns about the spread of COVID-19, Fresno City Councilmember Esmeralda Soria wants Saturday’s Harvard Block Sale postponed by its organizers.

The decades-old event that brings bargain hunters and sellers together near Fresno High School is in Soria’s council district.

In addition, City Hall issued a statement at 4:36 p.m. Friday saying it “does not support or encourage this event.”

In a news release, the city said that “while yard sales are considered an authorized activity, this particular event exceeds the recommendations for traditional yard sale activity.”

Fresno County had recorded 7,906 coronavirus cases and 87 deaths through 4 p.m. Friday.

City Now Says It Won’t Provide Masks for Event

Earlier, on Friday, city officials said they would provide 2,500 surgical masks for the block sale. That’s no longer the case.

“Individuals can have yard sales, but block sales are not allowed because the intent is to prevent mass gatherings,” Soria told GV Wire℠ late Friday afternoon.

“I am asking people to be smart and not participate. When you have zero capacity at our hospitals, it’s not the time for a block sale. It should be postponed until it’s safe.”

Soria also said that code enforcement officers will in the area Saturday enforcing the rules for individual yard sales.

Fresnans! @CityofFresno has clarified that block sales or combined yard sales are prohibited. Code Enforcement will be out there! I ask you to not participate in the annual Harvard Block Sale and avoid people getting sick. Remember there’s 0 capacity at our hospitals.

— Esmeralda Soria (@Esmeralda_Soria) July 10, 2020