The ministry of Harrisburg Christian Performing Arts Center (HCPAC) recognizes the need for specific COVID-19 health & safety protocols. By following this COVID-19 Health & Safety plan we are dedicated to important communication between staff, volunteers, parents, adults and students.
HCPAC has in place safety rules and precautions in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. These rules and precautions may be updated at any time. While we acknowledge that the rules and precautions may or may not be effective in mitigating the spread of COVID-19, our goal at HCPAC is to keep the transmission risk as low as possible while continuing to support our diverse community and the emotional and social well-being of our students and their families.
Staff, Volunteer and Student Health
People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Diarrhea
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
Health Screening
We ask that parents and/or legal guardians conduct a health screening at home on the student performer prior to coming to the HCPAC campus. Should the student have any of the symptoms listed above we ask that your student respectfully stay home until they are free from symptoms.
Each volunteer and staff member are asked to conduct a personal health screening prior to arriving at our campus each day and will acknowledge on the sign in sheet that they have done so. Should a volunteer or staff member have any of the symptoms listed above, they will stay home until they are free from symptoms.
Please note that anyone who exhibits the symptoms listed above or who has tested positive for COVID-19 will NOT be allowed to participate in on-campus activities until they are symptom free and/or have a negative COVID-19 test.
Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting
Frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned on a daily basis.
Volunteers and staff will sanitize props, materials used, etc., daily.
Rehearsal & Performance Physical Distancing and Safety
To avoid being unknowingly exposed to the Coronavirus by someone that does not have symptoms and/or is not aware that they have the Coronavirus, students, volunteers and production team members are asked to maintain a distance of six feet from each other unless absolutely necessary. However, due to the nature of our performances there will be times when it will be impossible for performers to maintain a 6 foot distance from others. Anyone who desires to take extra precaution during those times are encouraged to wear a face shield or mask in those instances.
Theatrical makeup is not permitted to be shared. Each student/adult should bring their makeup items in a container or plastic zip bag clearly marked with their name and stored with their personal belongings when not in use.
Only lapel microphones will be used and will be sanitized between uses.
All personal items (bags, water bottles, lunch boxes, etc.) must be labeled to avoid multiple contacts.
Students/adults will be asked to avoid sharing items, including, but not limited to cell phones, electronics and personal items, such as water bottles, hair brushes and makeup.
HCPAC will ensure that adequate supplies are provided to support healthy proper handwashing.
Sanitizing stations will be located throughout the building.
Facial Coverings
At the present time, Pennsylvania is NOT under a mask mandate. As there currently is no mandate on masking, students, adults, volunteers, and staff are encouraged to make the best decision for their own families. As a ministry community, HCPAC will respect and support the choices and decisions made by each individual family and request that everyone involved in our ministry do the same.
HCPAC will provide families that choose to utilize facial coverings with 1 face shield per performer to use during the performance weekend.
Attendance Tracking and Student Drop-off & Pick-up
Parents will drop off students in the HCPAC foyer.
Parents of students under grade 7, will sign in each student and affirm that they have conducted a health screening at home prior to arriving at the HCPAC campus.
Students in grade 7 and older and adult participants will sign in and affirm that they have conducted a health screening at home prior to arriving at the HCPAC campus.
Physical distancing during pick up and drop off will be encouraged.
Safety Measures
All volunteers and staff will be trained in safety protocols.
Waiver of liability will be included in registration paperwork.
Bathroom policies:
- Backstage bathrooms will be disinfected according to protocols.
- Only 2 individuals are permitted in each backstage bathroom at a time.
- Students, Adults, Volunteers and Staff will be required to wash hands well with soap before exiting.
If a child gets sick while at HCPAC, the following measures will be taken:
- Child will be isolated until picked up.
- Parents will be contacted to pick up their child.
- Staff will wear masks and gloves while assisting the child. Masks and gloves will be disposed of immediately.
- The isolation area will be deep cleaned before it is used again.
Quarantine & Isolation Explanation and Requirements
Quarantine or isolation: What’s the difference?
- Quarantine keeps someone who might have been exposed to the virus away from others.
- Isolation keeps someone who is infected with the virus away from others, even in their home.
Staff members, volunteers and performers that have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 must report the exposure to the Executive Director and quarantine for 14 days or test negative for COVID-19. Close contact is defined on the CDC website as:
- You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more
● You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
● You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them)
● You shared eating or drinking utensils
● They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you
Staff members, volunteers and performers that have been diagnosed with or suspect they have COVID-19 must report this to the Executive Director immediately and isolate per the CDC guidelines reference below:
- I think or know I had COVID-19, and I had symptoms. You can be with others after:
- At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared and
- At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication and
- Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving **Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation.
- If you had a severe illness from COVID-19 (you were admitted to a hospital and needed oxygen), your healthcare provider may recommend that you stay in isolation for longer than 10 days after your symptoms first appeared (possibly up to 20 days) and you may need to finish your period of isolation at home.
- I tested positive for COVID-19 but had no symptoms. If you continue to have no symptoms, you can be with others after:
- 10 days have passed since the date you had your positive test
- If you develop symptoms after testing positive, follow the guidance above for “I think or know I had COVID-19, and I had symptoms.”
If a confirmed case is detected in the building, the following measures will be taken:
- Families with individuals who may have been exposed will be contacted and asked to quarantine.
- The building will be deep cleaned before being used again.