COVID-19 DANCE SAFE PLAN
Living Arts Dance Studio
COVID-19 Dance Safe Plan
Dated: October 15th, 2020
General Business Description
Living Arts Dance Studio leases two (2) dance spaces: 120 E. Grand River Ave., Williamston and 715 Curtis Street, Mason. Each space has a dance floor area that can accommodate up to ten (10) dancers, maintaining 6-foot physical distance, cordoned off in 6’ x 6’ dance cells. Both studios have two (2) means of ingress to manage entering and leaving the studio. Each studio has two (2) separate areas to store student belongings during class. Our students range in age from 0-years to adults. Duration of a typical class ranges between 30 and 50 minutes. Student enrollment during our 2019-2020 year was approximately 300 students.
Living Arts Dance Studio also produces live performances. The COVID-19 response to each of these events will be determined on a case-by-case basis and not part of this plan.
As a result of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, Living Arts Dance Studio institutes the following COVID-19 Response Plan to protect the health and safety of our students, instructors, student’s family and the public done within compliance of the MIOSHA Emergency Rules for COVID-19 issued in October of 2020.
COVID-19 Plan Goals
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Institute entry requirements for any person entering either dance studio.
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Institute personal protection systems for Living Arts instructors.
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Institute personal protection systems for students.
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Institute safe ingress and egress procedures for students entering and leaving the dance spaces.
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Institute cleaning/sterilization procedures completed at the end of each evening classes are occurring.
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Share SARS-CoV-2 information with our student’s families and our surrounding business community.
Nature of the Threat
The SARS-CoV-2 virion particle is best understood to be transmitted by being expelled in respiratory droplets by an infected person through breathing, talking, sneezing, or coughing. Other means of respiratory droplet spread include kissing, sharing of utensils and other ways of saliva transfer.
As reported by National Public Radio, on April 3, 2020, these aerosolized droplets form in sizes of between 5 - 10 microns. They suspend in the air for various periods of time spreading over varying distances -- typically within 6-feet. They then fall onto horizontal surfaces or any other item within that spray-zone. According to WebMD, these expelled SARs-CoV-2 virions remain viable RNA proteins for a varying period of time depending on the surface onto which they landed.
A person gets infected with SARS-CoV-2 virions via inhalation of suspended respiratory droplets or physically touching these respiratory droplets on surfaces or items while they are still viable. For inhalation, an infected person inhales respiratory droplets expelled by a person while the droplets are suspended. For touching, an infected person touches the surface where the droplets have landed and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.
Once infected with SARS-Cov-2 virions, the newly infected person may or may not show signs of COVID-2019. Science does not know how many virions are necessary to infect a person with COVID-2019. The prognosis for those infected appear to include presenting no clinical signs to rapid death.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) urges businesses and employers to help prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19.
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COVID-19 Plan Response
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Living Arts Dance Studio (hereinafter “Company”) takes the health and safety of our employees, students, our students’ families and the public very seriously. With the spread of the coronavirus or “COVID-19,” a respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the Company must remain vigilant in mitigating the outbreak.
The Company is a proud part of the Mason and Williamston business community and Greater Lansing arts community. In order to be safe and maintain operations, we will implement our COVID-19 Operating Guidelines.
The Company has also identified a SARS-CoV-2 team to monitor the related guidance that the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the State of Michigan (SOM) and county health departments where any given property is located.
This Plan is based on information available from the CDC, OSHA, the SOM and relevant county health departments at the time of its development, and is subject to change based on further information provided. The Company may also amend this Plan based on operational needs on an as needed basis.
This Plan goes into effect on August 10, 2021 and remains in place until further notice.
COVID-19 Operating Guidelines
I. Responsibilities of Instructors
All instructors must be familiar with this Plan and must set a good example by following this Plan at all times. This involves practicing good personal hygiene, physical distance monitoring, mask and faceguard management safety practices to prevent the spread of the virus. Instructors must encourage this same behavior from all students. The wearing of masks will follow Ingham County Health Department current requirements.
II. Responsibilities of Parents/Guardians and Students
The Company is asking every one of our parents, guardians and students to help with our prevention efforts. In order to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our studios, everyone must play their part. Individuals entering the studio will be expected to comply with Ingham County Health Department ordinances on COVID-19 personal protection.
As set forth below, the Company has instituted various housekeeping, social distancing, and other best practices. All workers must follow them. In addition, workers are expected to report to their managers or supervisors if they are experiencing signs or symptoms of COVID-19, as described below.
OSHA and the CDC have provided the following control and preventative guidance for all workers, regardless of exposure risk:
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Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and running water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol.
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
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Follow appropriate respiratory etiquette, which includes covering for coughs and sneezes.
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Avoid close contact (less than three(3) feet) with people.
In addition, workers must familiarize themselves with the symptoms of COVID-19, which include the following:
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Coughing;
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Fever;
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Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing; and
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Early symptoms such as chills, body aches, sore throat, headache, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, and runny nose.
If a student or instructor develops a fever or symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, DO NOT COME TO THE STUDIO. Notify your instructor of your absence and notify your healthcare provider right away. Likewise, if you come into close contact with someone showing these symptoms contact your instructor and healthcare provider right away.
III. Protective Measures
The Company has instituted the following COVID-19 protective measures at each studio.
A. General Safety Policies and Rules for Access
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Only students are allowed inside of the studio.
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Students will enter via their assigned door and place their belongings on an identified storage organizer.
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All entrance doors have a hand-sanitizing station and we encourage use.
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We will maintain 3 foot social distancing.
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The studio will be cleaned/disinfected at the end of the evening once classes are complete.
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Any instructor, assistant or student showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be asked to leave the premises.
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Instructors must, within reasonable means, have students avoid physical contact with all others during dance class.
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No common source food or water containers. All food and water should be held or dispensed from a reusable individual container.
IV. Studio Cleaning and Disinfecting
The Company has instituted regular housekeeping practices, which include cleaning and disinfecting the dance floors, ballet bars, class props, carpeted areas, furniture, counters, door knobs, light switches and other high touch areas. Specific cleaning procedures are as follows:
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V. Student/Instructor COVID-19 Exposure Situations
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Exhibits COVID-19 Symptoms: If a students or instructor exhibits COVID-19 symptoms, they cannot return to class until they are symptom free for 72 hours (3 full days) without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g., cough suppressants). The Company will similarly require a student or instructor who comes to class with symptoms to return home until they are symptom free for 72 hours (3 full days).
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Tests Positive for COVID-19: A student or instructor that test positive and is symptom free may return to class when at least seven (7) days have passed since the date of their first positive test, and have not had a subsequent illness. Someone who has tested positive and is directed to care for themselves at home may return to class when: (1) at least 72 hours (3 full days) have passed since recovery and (2) at least seven (7) days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Individuals who test positive and have been hospitalized may return to the studio when directed to do so by their medical care providers.
3. Student or Instructor Who Has Close Contact with an Individual Who Has Tested Positive for COVID-19: If a student or instructor has come into close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 (co-worker or otherwise) will be directed to self-quarantine for 10 days from the last date of close contact with that individual. Close contact is defined as three (3) feet for a prolonged period of time.
If the Company learns that a student or instructor has tested positive, the Company will conduct an investigation to determine what students who may have had close contact with the confirmed-positive person in the prior 14 days and direct those individuals who have had close contact with the confirmed-positive person to self-quarantine for 10 days from the last date of close contact with that employee. If a person learns that he or she has come into close contact with a confirmed-positive individual outside of the studio, they should alert their instructor of the close contact and self-quarantine for 10 days from the last date of close contact with that individual.
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VII. Confidentiality/Privacy
Except for circumstances in which the Company is legally required to report workplace occurrences of communicable disease, the confidentiality of all medical conditions will be maintained in accordance with applicable law and to the extent practical under the circumstances. When it is required, the number of persons who will be informed that an unnamed person has tested positive will be kept to the minimum needed to comply with reporting requirements and to limit the potential for transmission to others. The Company reserves the right to inform other students that an unnamed person has been diagnosed with COVID-19 if the other students might have been exposed to the disease so those students and their families may take measures to protect their own health.
VIII. General Questions
Given the fast-developing nature of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Company may modify this Plan on a case by case basis. If you have any questions concerning this Plan, please contact Susan Byrd at (517) 819-9361 or susan@livingartsdancestudio.com.