Planning To Reopen - Phase 3, Theaters and Performance Venues, Part 2

7/16/2020 (Permalink)

Phase 3 of Governor Charlie Baker's administration's plan to reopen the state of Massachusetts for business is in effect. Strict rules are in place for the third phase of a four-phase economic reopening in Massachusetts. The following outlines the workplace safety standards pertaining to social distancing and hygiene protocol for Theaters and Performance Venues

In Step 1 of Phase 3, only outdoor Theater and Performance Venues and indoor movie theaters may reopen. Drive-in movie theaters may continue to operate under guidance issued for Drive-In Movie Theaters. Other indoor Theater and Performance Venues must remain closed until authorized to open at a later point in time. Large capacity event venues must continue to remain closed until Phase IV. This includes venues used for group or spectator sports, entertainment, business, and cultural events including:

1. Stadiums, arenas, and ballparks
2. Exhibition and convention halls 

As always, work with your local health officials to determine a set of strategies appropriate for your community’s situation.

These standards are minimum requirements only and are not exclusive or exhaustive. The public health data for disease prevention upon which these guidelines are based can and does change frequently, it is the responsibility of each Theater and Performance Venues  Business owner to stay abreast of any updates to these requirements.

(See our "Planning to Reopen series of blogs for more information regarding CDC, EPA, FDA, Mass EEA and OSHA safety requirements). To review the administration's reopening guidance from the state click here. To view Governor Baker's full report click here).

Staffing and Operations 

It is the responsibility of approved theaters and performance venues business owners and staff to monitor customer entries and exits and limit occupancy at all times to the greater of the following:

1. Provide training to workers on up-to-date safety information and precautions including hygiene and other measures aimed at reducing disease transmission, including:
   1. Social distancing, hand-washing, proper use of face coverings
   2. Self-screening at home, including temperature and symptom checks
   3. Importance of not coming to work if ill
   4. When to seek medical attention if symptoms become severe 
   5. Which underlying health conditions may make individuals more susceptible to contracting and suffering from a severe case of the virus
2. Venues must screen workers at each shift by ensuring the following:
   1. Worker is not experiencing any symptoms such as fever (100.0 and above) or chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, headache, muscle/body aches, runny nose/congestion, new loss of taste or smell, or nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
   2. Worker has not had “close contact” with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19. “Close contact” means living in the same household as a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, caring for a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, being within 6 feet of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 for 15 minutes or more, or coming in 4 direct contact with secretions (e.g., sharing utensils, being coughed on) from a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, while that person was symptomatic
   3. Worker has not been asked to self-isolate or quarantine by their doctor or a local public health official
   4. Workers who fail to meet the above criteria must be sent home
3. Adjust workplace hours and shifts (leverage working teams with different schedules or staggered arrival / departure) to minimize contact across workers and reduce congestion at entry point
4. Limit worker movement to discrete work zones to minimize overlap where possible
5. Venues should maintain operating hours that allow for on-going off-hour sanitation and cleaning
6. Limit visitors and service providers on site; shipping and deliveries should be completed in designated areas
7. Maintain a log of workers and visitors to support potential contact tracing (name, date, time, contact information)
8. Workers who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 according to the Centers for Disease Control (e.g., due to age or underlying conditions) are encouraged to stay home
9. Workers are strongly encouraged to self-identify symptoms or any close contact to a known or suspected COVID-19 case to the employer
10. Workers may not appear for work if feeling ill
11. Encourage workers who test positive for COVID-19, to disclose to the employer of the office for purposes of cleaning / disinfecting and contact tracing.
12. If the employer is notified of a positive case at the workplace, the employer shall notify the local Board of Health (LBOH) in the city or town where the workplace is located and assist the LBOH as reasonably requested to advise likely contacts to isolate and self-quarantine. Testing of other workers may be recommended consistent with guidance and / or at the request of the LBOH
13. Post notice to workers and customers of important health information and relevant safety measures as outlined in the Commonwealth’s Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplace
14. Stagger event times (such as theater showings) to avoid congregation of customers in different groups and to allow for thorough cleaning of the activity space (e.g., seating areas or tables) before new customers arrive
15. Encourage advanced reservations and digital ticketing where possible
16. Workers should facilitate organized entrance and exit between events where audiences are arranged in rows or other large groups to prevent unnecessary congregation of customers
17. Facilities should develop a seating plan for which customers can reserve spots ahead of time and which is adjustable to the size of the booking party allowing couples and small groups to sit together while maintaining at least 6 feet of distance from other individuals/groups
18. Instruct customers to limit seating groups only to related or associated members of same party
19. Additional on-site amenities and services may only open and operate when those amenities or services would otherwise be authorized to operate under the Commonwealth’s Phased Reopening Plan and then must adhere to all sector-specific safety protocols, available on the Reopening Plan website, applicable to the amenity or service. Examples include:
    1. Restaurants/food service: Must follow the latest restaurant guidelines
    2. Gift shops: Must follow the latest retail guidelines
    3. Performer hair and makeup: Must follow the latest close contact business guidance
20. In Step 1, food service is only permitted at outdoor venues
21. Intermissions should be avoided in order to limit time of performance and to prevent congregating and close contact with others
22. Reconfigure lobbies to discourage congregation of customers before, during, or after shows

Cleaning and Disinfecting 

It is the responsibility of approved theaters and performance venues business owners and staff to monitor customer entries and exits and limit occupancy at all times to the greater of the following:

1. Conduct frequent cleaning and disinfection of site (at least daily and more frequently if feasible)
2. Keep cleaning logs that include date, time, and scope of cleaning
3. Conduct frequent disinfecting of heavy transit areas and high-touch surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, bathrooms, seats, ticket counters, staff break rooms)
4. In event of a positive case, shut down site for a deep cleaning and disinfecting of the workplace in accordance with current CDC guidance
5. Open windows and doors to increase air flow where possible
6. Disinfect seating areas and any other mutually-touched objects immediately after each use.
7. At no point should customers come in contact with objects that others have touched without first being disinfected according to CDC guidelines

Additional Link;

Theater and Performance Venues MA COVID-19 Checklist

While the administration continues to work with communities to implement best practices and protocols we will continue to share with you guidance from the CDC, FDA, OSHA, Mass EEA and the Governor's office to follow as we prepare for reopening. Also, we at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley know that not every business has access to the resources necessary to meet these strict guidelines. For those businesses, we are here to help!

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

The Disaster Remediation Teams at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley are specialists in cleaning services and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work of "normal daily cleaning". Call SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley today for a free consultation - (617) 332-9000.

All of us here at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley want you and your loved ones to stay safe and know that we will make it through this together! Rest assured, we will continue to do our best to keep you up-to-date and informed! Rest assured, we will continue to do our best to keep you up-to-date and informed!