Westrick Music Academy’s top priority is the health and well-being of our choristers, our faculty/staff, and our entire community. While the public health crisis that is COVID-19 continues to evolve rapidly, at this time, following the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Health for the State of New Jersey, and Arts Ed NJ, WMA has concluded it is safe to continue in-person activities during the 2022-2023 season. We will continue to monitor the changing COVID-19 situation closely and adjust our safety measures according to changing guidance from local, state, and national guidelines, and the best scientific research available regarding singing safely. As such, specific plans for each class or choir may be subject to change.
COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT
FACE MASKS
Masking requirements will follow the local guidelines for our area at all times. We anticipate that masks will be required for singing during some portions of the season and optional during others. Singers should keep a mask in their designated choir bag (along with their music, water bottle, and pencil) to be prepared should masks be required.
SAFETY MEASURES
Ventilation
Each indoor rehearsal and music room has a high-efficiency HVAC system with an air change rate in compliance with guidelines, coupled with air purification through ionization
Sanitization
- Hand sanitizing is encouraged upon entering rehearsal and music rooms. Hand sanitizing gel is available at all activities and events.
- Frequent handwashing is encouraged
- Chairs, stands, door handles, bathrooms, and other high-touch surfaces will be disinfected regularly with EPA registered cleaners, and all enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols are followed daily
EXPECTATIONS FOR CHORISTERS & PARENTS/GUARDIANS
Students attending an in-person activity must:
- Not attend if feeling even mildly sick or exhibiting any symptoms of illness
- Wear a face mask when required in accordance with CDC guidelines that covers the nose and mouth
- Abide by physical distancing and other safety guidelines for rehearsals and classes as set forth by WMA
- Wash and sanitize hands frequently
- Use the pre-designated entry and exit paths for each venue, including pick-up and drop-off
Choristers must stay home if they:
- Have tested positive for COVID-19 within 5 days, or until your fever resolves, whichever is longer
- Are experiencing or have experienced any symptoms of illness within 48 hours of an activity
When exposed to COVID-19, but not showing symptoms and have not tested positive:
- If you have been boosted, or during the past 6 months you completed your vaccination series or recovered from COVID-19, you may attend in-person activities, but must wear a mask for 10 days and test after 5 days from exposure
- If you have not been boosted, or it’s been more than 6 months since you received your last vaccination shot or you recovered from COVID-19, you may not attend in-person for 5 days from exposure, and should mask for an additional 5-days (10 days in total) and test 5 days after exposure
Parent/Guardian must:
- Notify a member of WMA staff, in writing, if their student tests positive for COVID-19
- Notify a member of WMA staff, in writing, if their chorister is missing an in-person activity because they are feeling unwell
- Be able to pick-up their chorister promptly from any in-person WMA activity if the chorister becomes unwell while in WMA’s care
Fully vaccinated music faculty will be permitted to remove masks while offering instruction but will observe additional distancing while doing so
Updated July 27, 2022
