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.
It is important to note, that as long as there are cases of COVID-19 in our communities, there are no strategies that can completely eliminate transmission risk. Our goal at HCPAC is to keep the transmission risk as low as possible while supporting the emotional and social well-being of our students.
Staff, Volunteer, and Performer 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
Student performer health screening will be conducted daily by each parent at home prior to the performer arriving on campus. Additionally, personal health screening will be conducted daily by each adult participating in our programs.
Each volunteer and staff member will perform a health screening prior to arriving at our campus each day and will acknowledge on the sign in sheet that they have done so.
No one with symptoms will be allowed to participate in on-campus activities and volunteers or staff members with symptoms will not be allowed on campus.
COVID-19 Symptoms will be posted in the building.
Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting
Volunteers and staff will clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces on our campus at the end of each rehearsal and performance.
Volunteers and staff will sanitize props, materials used, etc., after each use.
Rehearsal & Performance Physical Distancing and Safety
Performers and production team members are asked to maintain a distance of six feet from each other. In instances that this is not feasible during rehearsals or performances, this must be documented on the production weekly update with an explanation that includes the length of time not six feet distanced and the performers involved. This information is required to allow our HCPAC staff to inform necessary individuals in the event of exposure to COVID-19.
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.
Each performer will be provided with a plastic tote to store their personal belongings. This tote will be labeled with both the production and performer name(s). Totes will be stored in the Hair & Makeup room until dress rehearsal week when they are relocated to the dressing rooms. The production staff is responsible to ensure that each tote is properly cleaned and sanitized during the production’s strike.
Students/adults will be asked to avoid sharing items, including, but not limited to cell phones, electronics and personal items, such as hair brushes and makeup.
Items that increase risk of saliva contamination are banned. This includes gum, lollipops, balloons (inflated or deflated), bubbles, whistles, and other trinkets or toys that promote aerosolization of droplets.
Signs will be posted throughout the facility to remind participants, volunteers and guests of physical distancing and handwashing. HCPAC will ensure that adequate supplies are provided to support healthy proper handwashing.
Sanitizing stations will be located in the following places:
- Check-in counter
- Ticket counter
- Concession stand
- Merchandise table
- Each classroom/dressing room
- Both backstage wings
- Makeup room
Facial Coverings
Students, adults, volunteers, and staff will be asked to wear face masks/shields at all times. HCPAC will provide each performer participating in our programming with 1 face shield. Face shields will be required on our stage. Masks/shields will not be required for any individual that meets the following criteria for an exemption:
- Individuals who cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition, including those with respiratory issues that impede breathing, mental health conditions or disability.
- Individuals who are communicating or seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing-impaired or has another disability, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
Parents, volunteers and staff simply need to let us know that they or their student meets the exemption requirement. No medical verification will be required in order to protect the privacy of our community.
Attendance Tracking and Student Drop-off & Pick-up
Parents will drop off students in the HCPAC foyer.
Parents will sign in each student and affirm that they have conducted a health screening at home prior to arriving at the HCPAC campus.
Adult participants will sign in and affirm that they have conducted a health screen(ing) at home prior to arriving at the HCPAC campus.
Physical distancing during pick up and drop off will be requested.
No congregating in the foyer will be permitted.
An assigned staff member or volunteer will wait at the auditorium doors to call individual children, upon the arrival of parents or guardians.
Safety Measures
All volunteers and staff will be trained in safety protocols.
Production teams will limit in-person rehearsal attendance and virtual rehearsal participation will be available to students and young adults who are unable to or uncomfortable with attending) in-person rehearsals.
Signs will be prominently posted to remind of physical distancing and face covering protocols as well as hand-washing.
Waiver of liability will be included in registration paperwork.
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.
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.
Performance Guests
Guests at our performances are asked to wear a face covering at all times and physical distancing is encouraged.
Seating is limited for all of our performances. Tickets may be pre-purchased on our website and are able to be purchased in groups of two. You may purchase as many sets of 2 as you need, but the groups of 2 are distanced from each other.
The Ticket Booth will not be open prior to the performance and tickets must be purchased online in advance. Online ticket sales closed 2 ½ hours prior to each performance.
When allowable by the licensing company, a live streaming ticketed option will be available for guests that are unable or uncomfortable to join us in person.
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. 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 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.