Our existing safety guidelines and operating procedures will remain in place, which include:

• CDC cleaning and disinfecting guidance will be followed
• Frequent hand washing and sanitizing is encouraged
• Enhanced air quality measures have been implemented, including MERV-13 air filters, open windows for increased fresh air whenever possible, and added HEPA air purifiers in class spaces
• Drop-off and pick-ups will be managed outside our buildings

Village Theatre will continue to adapt as guidelines evolve. We appreciate your support and understanding as we continue to navigate how best to have our students, educators, staff, performers, and patrons remain as safe as possible.

• Acceptable proof of vaccination against COVID-19 includes:
  • Official vaccination card (including name, type of vaccine received, and date of last dose administered)
  • Photo of the official vaccination card as a separate document
  • Digital photo of the vaccination card stored on a phone or electronic device
  • Documentation of vaccination from a healthcare provider electronic health record or state immunization information system record, such as https://myirmobilae.com/

Acceptable proof of negative COVID-19 test result includes:

• Laboratory Viral Test (PCR, RT-PCR, NAAT) performed by a certified facility within taken within 72 hours
• Rapid Point-of-Care Antigen Test (also referred to as a rapid test) within 24 hours performed or interpreted by a certified individual

Results must be in a printed document from the test provider or laboratory, or an email or text message displayed on a phone or electronic device from the test provider or laboratory that includes name of person tested, type of test performed, and date of negative test result. Please contact our COVID Safety Team with questions regarding testing requirements at: covidsafetymanagers@villagetheatre.org.

For Information regarding testing locations:

• https://doh.wa.gov/emergencies/covid-19/testing-covid-19/testing-locations

For information on ordering FREE COVID tests provided by the U.S. government or Washington State:

• https://www.covidtests.gov/
• https://sayyescovidhometest.org/

Village Theatre COVID-19 Guidance – updated June 27, 2023

If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, the CDC no longer recommends quarantine for those exposed. You must wear a mask anytime you are around other people for a full 10 days after exposure, with the date of exposure being counted as day zero.

KIDSTAGE students may continue to attend classes or rehearsals after being exposed, but they will be required to wear a mask for a full 10 days after exposure.

If you test positive for COVID-19, please report your case at this link and refer to the Returning to KIDSTAGE Programs & Productions section below:

EXPOSURES

• First Degree Exposures: If you have a 1^st degree exposure, you should follow strict mask-wearing protocols whenever you are around others indoors. Try to maintain as much distance as possible when you need to remove your mask to eat or drink. Start counting the days since exposure: Day 0 is the day of your last exposure to someone with COVID-19, Day 1 is the first full day after your last exposure. On Day 6, take an antigen test. If you test positive, report your positive case and isolate yourself, following the Returning the KIDSTAGE Productions & Programs policies below. If you test negative, continue strict mask protocols through Day 10. If during this 10 day period you start exhibiting new symptoms consistent with COVID, isolate yourself and take an antigen or PCR test to confirm.

• Second Degree Exposures: If you have a 2^nd degree exposure, you do not need to modify your behavior for KIDSTAGE programs.

• Ongoing Exposures: If you are experiencing an ongoing exposure (such as someone in your family testing positive and not having separate space to isolate), follow the steps of a 1^st Degree Exposure (above) and modify the end date of your strict masking. Take your initial antigen test on Day 6, and continue testing yourself every few days.  Continue to follow strict masking for 10 days after the person you were exposed to on an ongoing basis is fever free and testing negative. If during this period you start exhibiting new symptoms consistent with COVID, isolate yourself and take a test prior to coming to class.

RETURNING TO KIDSTAGE PROGRAMS & PRODUCTIONS

If you test positive for COVID-19, follow the steps below

• Report your positive result: Visit the positive test reporting form to share your positive result with the COVID Safety Team, who will notify anyone who needs to be notified about their exposure.

• Isolate for 5 days: Day zero is the first day you experienced symptoms or tested positive (whichever is earlier). Day 1 is the first full day after that.

• Test on Day 6: If you are fever free and your symptoms are largely abated, take an antigen test on Day 6.  If you test negative, you may return to class or your production and follow strict masking through Day 10. If you still have a fever, skip the test and stay isolated, testing for the first time that you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours.

• Do not return until you test negative on an antigen test: If you test positive on day 6, you can continue to test on days 7, 8, 9, and 10 and return on the first day you test negative. Please note: You may continue to test positive for up to 90 days on a PCR test, which is a molecular test that can detect fragments of dead virus particles. Once you have been diagnosed with COVID, you should switch to exclusively antigen tests to determine your safety to return.

• If you experienced moderate or severe illness, isolate longer: If you had a moderate illness (if you experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing) or severe illness (you were hospitalized) due to COVID, you need to isolate through day 10.

• Get clearance from a health professional: If you pass Day 10 and are still testing positive on an antigen test and would like to return to class, you must first be cleared to return by your healthcare provider. If you have received that clearance, please contact Head Covid Safety Manager Nina Trotto to share that clearance. Depending on your role, additional rules may be put in place until you have a negative antigen test.

RETURNING TO KIDSTAGE CLASSES

If you test positive for COVID-19, follow the steps below

• Report your positive result  Visit the Positive COVID Case Notification Form to share your positive result with the COVID Safety Team, who will notify anyone who needs to be notified about their exposure as well as sending an All Staff exposure notification.

• Isolate for 5 days  Day zero is the first day you experienced symptoms or tested positive (whichever is earlier). Day 1 is the first full day after that.

• If you had no symptoms  You may end isolation after day 5.

• If you had mild symptoms and they are improving  If you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medication) you may return to class. If you still have a fever stay isolated until you are fever-free for 24 hours.

• If you had moderate symptoms (you experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing)  You need to isolate through day 10.

• If you had severe illness (you were hospitalized) or have a weakened immune system.  You need to isolate through day 10. Consult your doctor before ending isolation, and you may be required to have a negative antigen test before returning to class.