COVID-19 is not yet fully understood and the measures recommended by the relevant health authorities to reduce its spread have changed over time and may continue to do so. As a result the policies in this document are subject to change at any time. If changes are made, they will be revised and sent to you.

It must also be recognized by everyone participating in VAD Arts activities or entering its premises that doing so will involve some risk associated with COVID-19. COVID-19 is a highly contagious and infectious disease (which can result in very serious health consequences including death) and the establishment and administration of reasonable guidelines such as those in this document to reduce this risk cannot completely eliminate it or guarantee that COVID-19 will not be transmitted by or to someone.

REGARDING PERSONAL HEALTH:

Do not come to the facility for any reason if you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or any other illness. Please stay home:

  • if you have a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, cold or sneezing.
  • if you have been outside the country in the past 14 days or have been in the company of someone outside the country in the past 14 days.
  • You are required to follow all quarantine protocols and self-isolate before coming to class.
  • if you have been in close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19.
  • if a family member is sick at home.

If anyone starts to develop symptoms or feel unwell while at the Academy, they should report to a faculty member that they are unwell, and return home. Follow up with health professional or 811 for medical advice.

If students are unable to attend class in person, please arrange to attend via Zoom.

REGARDING PERSONAL INTERACTIONS INSIDE THE ACADEMY:

Be willing to offer personal information regarding health, social behaviours outside the academy and provide any information necessary for contact tracing.

Engage in touchless greetings: we will not be shaking hands, high 5’ing, elbow bumping or hugging at this time.

Be Kind, Be Calm and Be Safe in all encounters with others. Acknowledge that everyone’s comfort levels are different and are to be respected.

If someone requests that you step away to create more distance between you and them, do so without challenge.

If someone requests that you put on a mask, do so without challenge. “My mask protects you and your mask protects others”.

REGARDING SOCIAL INTERACTIONS OUTSIDE THE ACADEMY:

Keep your personal “Bubble” as small as possible. Have contact tracing capacity in mind if you expand beyond your own home and academy interactions.

While we know we cannot patrol and manage everyone’s social and personal behaviours, we are asking everyone to help ensure that the overall program not be put at risk by individuals attending or engaging in activities where there is proven heightened risk of contracting the virus during the course of study and program year. High risk activities include but are not limited to bars, nightclubs, parties and large public social gatherings.

If anyone attends large uncontrolled events or activities, we ask that the Senior Educational Administrator be notified, so we are aware, and can assist in advising best steps to minimize the academy community’s risk.

YOUR SAFETY AND PERSONAL COMFORT:

Anyone may choose to wear a mask at any time, location or during any activity on campus. If a member of the VAD Arts community is more comfortable wearing a mask in a studio even when socially distanced they may do so.

Instructors/Directors may at any time ask students to wear their masks and/or sanitize before any change in activity.

An Instructor/Director may not require anyone to remove a mask/not sanitize in advance of any activity that reduces social distancing.

If at any time a member of the academy community feels unsafe with an activity involving a partner they may identify that and require that mask / distancing / or sanitization measure be taken prior to proceeding with that activity that directly impacts them.

Everyone is required to follow the guidelines applicable to them as described in this document. Those that disregard them while on the premises will be assumed to be disregarding them when dealing with society at large.

Anyone found to be in violation of these guidelines can expect:

  1. To be requested politely by others in the community to adhere or change.
  2. If the guidelines continue to be disregarded, to be reported to the Senior Educational Administrator.
  3. To be asked to change behaviours, or consider voluntarily leaving the facility and program VAD Arts provides.

We should strive to maintain a safe environment throughout the program while at the same time flourishing and enjoying our work. Thank you.