RESPONSIBLE PARTIES MUST:
- Post signage and distance markers denoting spaces of six feet in all commonly used areas indoors for employees and any areas in which lines are commonly formed or people may congregate (e.g. clock in/out stations, health screening stations, break rooms, equipment checkout areas, cash register areas, locker rooms, etc.).
- Encourage acceptable masks or face coverings:
- Provide distance markers or taped off areas in studios and theaters denoting spaces of at least six feet for dancers who are training, teaching, rehearsing, or performing.
- Designate separate entrances and exits, to the extent practicable.
- Place signage near hand sanitizer stations and ensure that employees perform hand hygiene by indicating that visibly soiled hands should be washed with soap and water; hand sanitizer is not effective on visibly soiled hands. Responsible Parties can develop their own customized signage specific to a workplace or setting, provided that such signage is consistent with the Department’s signage.
Communication Plan
Responsible Parties should develop a communications plan for employees and visitors, and customers that includes applicable instructions, training, signage, and a consistent means to provide employees with information. Responsible Parties should work with building management to help facilitate any building-wide communications. Responsible Parties may consider developing webpages, text and email groups, and social media
- Template: COVID-19 communication to employees
- NY Forward Safety Plan Template
- Google doc: CDC Communication Plan Guidelines
- CDC Communication Plan Official Website
- CDC Communication Resources
- CDC Resuming Business Toolkit
Returning to Studio: Organizations need to have a plan to address non employees who refuse to comply with screening required by NYS guidelines.
- Return to Studio Questionnaire (DSA provided)
Mask Policy Templates:
Talking to people who refuse to wear masks:
- The Conversation article – Talking to someone who doesn’t wear a mask
- Forbes article – Dealing with customers who don’t want to wear a mask
Waivers, Screening, Testing
Responsible Parties must implement mandatory daily health screening practices for employees, patrons, and, where practicable, contractors and vendors, but such screening shall not be mandated for delivery personnel. Understand that a waiver doesn’t eliminate employer responsibility, can we have artists (teaching artists or dancers rehearsing, sign a statement saying they have read the safety protocols we are undertaking and are comfortable teaching/joining rehearsals and if at any time they are not comfortable, they are free to leave without losing payment). Keep in mind the difference when it comes to dancers (union vs. non unionized). Waivers may not have legal standing in court.
Sample Waiver Concerning COVID-19:
Screening and Testing
- NEW YORK STATE COVID-19 RETURN TO WORK GUIDANCE DAILY HEALTH SCREENING TEMPLATE
- Sample COVID-19 Screening Tool
- (COVID-19): Guidance for Places of WorshipLast updated June 16, 2020Page 2 of 4
Sign-in upon entering the facility (or prior via remote check-in), providing their full name, address, and phone number for use in contact tracing efforts.
- Sample Attendance Log
- The sign-in process may be conducted through any means that the Responsible Parties establish to collect the above contact information, including but not limited to a digital application, barcode reader, swipe card reader, and/or paper form.
- Responsible Parties must maintain a record of the aforementioned sign-in data for a minimum period of 28 days and make such data available to state and local health departments upon request.