COVID-19 Safety - ArtSpring

Attending theatre events at ArtSpring 2022-23 season

(updated September 19, 2022)

• Proof of vaccination is no longer required for events and exhibitions at ArtSpring.
• From June 1, 2022 face masks are no longer mandatory at ArtSpring for anyone attending a theatre or gallery event, and from September 19, for anyone working or volunteering in the building. However, we do recommend and appreciate face masks being worn, and they are available throughout the building.
• Tickets are sold as reserved seating, at 100% capacity.
• Patrons can now use all external doors to enter the building.
• The upper parking lot will be open for theatre events only.
• Pre-show box office opens one hour before showtime for pre-booked ticket pick-up, and sales for that show only.
• Doors close five minutes before showtime.
• Follow all signage present at ArtSpring.
• Hand sanitizer will be provided.
• Washrooms are open.
• Maintain a comfortable distance from patrons who are not in your party.
• Performances may include a concessions service, and an intermission.
• Artist merchandise, if available, can be purchased in the lobby. Cash sales only.
• Please do not attend the performance: if you or anyone from your party feel unwell; if you or anyone you have come in contact with has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days. If you are unable to attend for health reasons please contact the ArtSpring box office for a refund.

Please contact the Box Office if you have any questions. 250.537.2102 or tickets@artspring.ca

COVID Protocols – ArtSpring

(Updated September 19, 2022)
To be distributed to all rental clients, volunteers, staff, performers, crew, posted in workspaces, and posted to the ArtSpring website for our patrons.

ArtSpring takes the safety of its staff and volunteers very seriously and any infraction will be dealt with directly.

Gallery events/exhibits at ArtSpring

Theatre Events/Performances

• From April 8 2022 there is no proof of vaccination requirement at ArtSpring.
• From June 1, 2022 face masks are no longer mandatory at ArtSpring for anyone attending a theatre or gallery event, and from September 19, for anyone working or volunteering in the building. However, we do recommend and appreciate face masks being worn, and they are available throughout the building.
• Merchandise may be sold at the time of the event in assigned location.
• During rehearsals, rental clients/participants who are not on stage should be seated in the theatre or back stage.
• All theatre rental clients/participants are expected to limit their activities to theatre, and dressing rooms. The lobby and stairwells are not included in rental agreements and should not be used as a place to congregate.
• Events can be at 100% capacity.
• Performances and theatre events have no time limits. Intermissions are allowed, and from June 1, 2022 concessions services are permitted.
• It is vital that no person who feels sick in any way visits any of our facilities and/or utilizes any of our services.

Staff and Volunteers

• All staff and volunteers are fully vaccinated.
• From September 19, 2022 masks are no longer mandatory for staff and volunteers. However, they are recommended and appreciated.
• Volunteers at ArtSpring will be required to sign yearly contract detailing volunteer role, agreeing to confidentiality and privacy policy.

Communicable Disease Plan – ArtSpring

(Updated April 8, 2022)

A communicable disease is an illness caused by an infectious agent or its toxic product that can be transmitted in a workplace from one person to another. Examples of communicable disease that may circulate in a workplace include COVID-19, norovirus, and seasonal influenza.

Employers are required to develop a CDSP that outlines the policies, guidelines, and procedures they have put in place to reduce the risk of disease transmission. This plan follows the six steps outlined below. Employers must involve frontline workers, joint health and safety committees, and supervisors in identifying protocols for their workplace.

Workers: employees and volunteers.

Assess the risks

Accessing the building
• Touch points – door handles
• narrow passageways in lobby
• Between kitchen and doors to gallery
• Lower lobby in front of elevators
• Stairway to lobby
• Stairway to sound booth
• Sound Booth
• Highest lobby/hallway
• Access to bathrooms

Assess the risk at ArtSpring

Points of congregation:
Offices
Hallways
Lobby
Bathrooms
Dressing Rooms

Points of worker proximity:

Rental process – contract signing
Daytime and Pre-Show Box Office – plexi-screen and masking in place
Ticket Taking – tickets are checked visually and are not taken
Meetings – meetings can be held online or proceed with masks and distance
Concession – concessions service permitted from June 1, 2022.
Merc Sales – at the concession counter with plexi-glass shield
Use of bathrooms – all bathrooms available for shows, multi-stall bathrooms not available during the day
Certain narrow lobby areas and doorways – limited staff in the building/use of peg-in board
Artist load-in/out – straight into the theatre, not in lobby or hallways
Sound Booth narrow workspace – two people at a time, staff only
Loft access/narrow workspace – three people at a time, staff only

Tools, machinery, and equipment in common use amongst staff:

Sanitize desk, equipment, and phone when you arrive and when you leave for the day. – all staff
Water cooler
Computers
Printers
Keyboards
Lighting & sound board
Theatre lights
Theatre sound equipment

Surfaces touched by staff in their day to day work operation:

Printers
Keyboards
Filing cabinets
Desk surfaces
Doorknobs
Crash bars
Railings
Light switches
Bathroom stall doors
Bathroom stall locking mechanism
Toilet handle
Toilet paper dispenser top
Faucets
Counters (box office & concession)
Lobby tables, benches, furnishings
Theatre stair railings
Theatre seat backs and arm rests
Theatre stage edge
Elevator buttons

Implementing measures to reduce the risk:

Maintaining physical distance
• reduce overall number of workers in the building at one time considering how many people each space can accommodate while maintaining sensible distancing
o offices – upstairs
o Box Office – don’t use as a congregating area for volunteer staff. 1-2 people at a time.
o theatre technical booth – 2 maximum, limited to staff
o theatre loft – up to 3 if spread out, limited to staff only
o theatre stage left and stage right
o theatre stage
o elevator – one person or couple at a time.
o Gallery – regular capacity
o lobby (upper, main, Jankura)
o bathrooms – multi-stall bathrooms not available to public during day hours, only available during performances.
o conference room

Where physical distance cannot be maintained
• physical barriers (partitions or plexiglass barriers)
• extend mask requirement

Cleaning and Hygiene
• Hand sanitizer is readily available throughout the ArtSpring. All ArtSpring staff should sanitize their hands regularly.
• Handwashing is available in for staff in bathrooms, kitchen, and back service entry.
• Suggest and remind workers to sanitize or wash their hands:
o upon arriving for work,
o before and after breaks,
o after handling cash or other materials,
o before and after handling common tools and equipment.
• Implement a cleaning protocol for all common areas and surfaces, including washrooms, equipment, tools, common tables, desks, light switches, and door handles. Ensure those engaged in cleaning have adequate training and materials.
• Remove any unnecessary tools or equipment that may elevate the risk of transmission, including items like coffee makers and shared utensils and plates.

Develop policies

Develop policies to manage the risks in the workplace including:
• Who (of the staff) can be in the workspace
• limit visitors
The provincial health officer and the BC CDC have issued the following guidance around self-isolation:
o anyone who has had symptoms of disease must stay at home; symptoms include fever, chills, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, sore throat and new muscle aches or headache.
o anyone under the direction of the provincial health officer to self-isolate must follow those instructions
• What if you start to feel sick at work? Notify the Executive & Artistic Director and go home. Provide a list to the EAD of people you may have come in contact to at work.

Develop communication plans and training

You must ensure that everyone entering the workplace, including workers from other employers, knows how to keep themselves safe while at your workplace.
• Be sure everyone is trained on the measures you have put in place and the policies around staying home when sick.
• Post signage, including occupancy limits and effective handwashing practices. Signage should also be posted at the main entrance indicating who is restricted from entering the premises (including visitors and workers with symptoms).
• Ensure supervisors have been trained on monitoring workers and workplace to ensure policies and procedures are being followed.