Celtic Ceilidh Dance Academy Safety Strategies
Updated September 25, 2021
The following mandatory safety strategies will be in place at Celtic Ceilidh Dance Academy for the return of the 2021-22 dance season, starting Monday, September 13.
Restrictions Exemption Program
Celtic Ceilidh is participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program and as such, any dancer or adult registrant age 18 years or over is required to provide one of the following before they may attend class in-person:
- proof of vaccination, or
- proof of a privately-paid negative rapid test result taken within 72 hours of service, or
- documentation of a medical exemption
Note: at this time, the program does not apply to youth activities where participants are under the age of 18, so the above documents are not required for dancers aged 12 to 17.
Proof of vaccination or vaccine medical exemption letter must be provided in advance to the Celtic Ceilidh office and the registrant’s file will be updated to confirm the records have been verified.
In accordance with CMOH Order 45-2021, masking is still required on the premises even if vaccine documentation has been provided, except when participating in the physical activity.
Screening for Illness
Dancers and/or family and visitors may not enter the building if required to isolate based on the Alberta Health daily checklist for adults and children under 18. Mandatory isolation is required if:
- you have tested positive for COVID
- you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, as assessed on the daily checklist
Signage will be placed on the building doors reminding people not to enter the building if they meet the above requirements.The ‘Fit for Dance’ screening form must also be submitted before entering the dance studio.
Children who have traveled outside of Canada within the last 14 days must follow the Government of Canada’s requirements for quarantine.
Arriving at Celtic Ceilidh
Students line up physically distanced when it is time to enter the studio and wait for staff to bring them into the studio classroom.
We have scheduled staggered entry times to limit congestion in the hallways and dressing rooms.
Adults bringing students to dance may wait in their vehicle or leave during class to minimize the number of people in the building. If you do come into the building, masks are required.
Parents and guardians of young children may wait in the atrium, provided they are physically distanced and wearing a mask. Siblings and visitors must remain quietly and in the same place for the duration of their stay – absolutely no running through the atrium is permitted.
Those who need to enter the school for any other reason must book an appointment with the office or store. We ask that only the dancers and instructors enter the studio area unless otherwise requested.
Wearing Masks
Masks are an important way to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19, particularly when indoors and physical distancing is a challenge. Please see provincial health guidelines for how to choose and wear a mask.
Anyone who enters the building (except under the age of 2) is required to wear a mask in any area of the studio or building per Alberta legislation. Participants may remove their mask during physical activity while in class if they wish. This will be left to the discretion of each dance family.
Handwashing and Sanitizing
Everyone who enters will be required to use hand sanitizer or wash their hands. Students and staff are required to wash and/or sanitize their hands:
- before they enter the studio classroom
- after they use shared equipment and the barre.
- before eating
Students using the washrooms prior to entering the studio must use hand sanitizer again before entering the studio.
We will provide hand sanitizer in each studio to support these requirements. Proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette will be promoted with verbal reminders and signage.
Physical Distancing
Physical distancing will be enforced both inside and outside of class. Coaches or trainers may need to approach a dancer for brief interactions (for example, to correct form or technique) and will wear a mask for any such interactions.
Other controls in place include:
- Controlled atrium access: students who have a dinner break between classes will clean their atrium table before and after eating. Dancers will physically distance to allow for 1 per table.
- Staggered class times: to prevent crowded hallways, students are asked to quickly exit the building after class to allow for the next class to enter on time.
- Studio spacing: Classes and choreography will be conducted with attention to distancing and AHS guidelines for dance.
Traffic Flow & Dressing Rooms
Students are asked to arrive ready to dance whenever possible and limit belongings brought into the studio to reduce the use of dressing rooms. Dancers are permitted to use the dressing room one (1) at a time and will be asked to exit quickly with their belongings after they have changed. All required belongings must fit into one (1) bag or bin and placed in a cubby or assigned locker in the front hallway.
Lockers will be assigned to dancers with the highest need based on their class enrollment.
Inside the Classroom & Enhanced Cleaning
Where necessary, floor markers will be used during class to remind dancers of their place to ensure distancing.
Students will wash or sanitize their hands both before and after using shared items and the dance barre. Barres will be cleaned and disinfected after each class if they are used.
Dancers are encouraged to bring their water bottles filled from home.
Floors and studios will be cleaned and disinfected at the end of each night.
Using the Atrium
Dancers who must remain at the studio for a break between classes or parents with younger children who are waiting during class may use the nearest deck in the atrium, provided they remain in one place for the duration of their wait and are physically distanced from other families. No running through the atrium is permitted.
Safety measures for the atrium include:
- Supervisors will monitor high-traffic areas and remind students to adhere to physical distancing protocols.
- All students must wash their hands before eating and eat only their own food. Students should not share food.
- At this time, the microwaves will be available to students under supervision.
- The tables and chairs on the atrium deck will be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
Showing Signs of Illness at Dance
If a dancer or staff member shows symptoms during the class, they will need to go home. When a dancer is sick, he/she will continue to wear a mask and a studio staff member will:
- bring the student to a private area, if possible, or keep them at least two metres away from others;
- contact parents or guardians to pick up their child immediately, and;
- follow health protocols around personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning/disinfecting the area.
Dismissal Times
To prevent crowding in hallways and to support appropriate physical distancing, classes will be dismissed 5 minutes early. This ensures a short break between classes to reduce traffic and to clean and prepare the studio for the next class.
Should you have any questions about these strategies, please contact us at info@celticceilidhdance.com.
