UPDATE 7/17/2022
On Thursday July 14, Athens Clarke County moved into the “high” transmission category as defined by the CDC.
In response, Athens Clarke Unified government has changed their mask policy for the week of July 18. Due to the changes in transmission levels and local policy response, the Studio will be requiring masks for all in our building during the week of July 18.
*This requirement is only for the week of July 18. We will reassess at the end of this week.*
Information regarding our 2022-2023 Season, which starts on August 8, will be sent out shortly. As always, we will continue to assess the public health situation and respond accordingly.
Thank you for your support! The health and safety of our Studio community is always our first priority.
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UPDATE 3/30/2022
The STUDIO is moving to a mask optional policy for youth classes at this time. Students who prefer to continue wearing masks are encouraged to do so and will be supported by faculty and staff.
We have been monitoring the local case rates, hospitalization rates, and other available metrics to determine the level of transmission in the community. Given the levels of low transmission at this time, we will be moving to mask optional. This new policy will also apply to the May 7th recital.
We will continue to monitor these conditions and if cases increase to a level where transmission is higher and more concerning, then we will re-implement the mask policy for youth.
UPDATE 2/28/2022
Mask policy update
The three categories are: Low, Medium, and High.
As of today, February 28, 2022, Clarke County is in the “Medium” category.
In accordance with CDC recommendations, we are making the following change to our mask policy:
- For adults only, masks will be OPTIONAL once you are in your studio for class.
- Please continue to wear masks in our lobby areas.
- Masks continue to be mandatory for all youth classes, and faculty will continue to be masked when teaching youth classes.
We will continue to follow these protocols:
- sanitize hands upon entrance
- run HEPA air filters
- ensure that our faculty and staff are vaccinated
- leave studio doors open to increase air circulation
- practice social distancing in class
We continuously monitor public health data and should the need arise for additional changes in policy, we will notify you immediately. Thank you for your continued support of The Studio and your commitment to the health and well-being of yourselves and others in our community.
UPDATE 1/5/2021
Due to the highly contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19, we are updating some of our COVID protocols at this Every aspect of our COVID protocol is designed to prevent spread, keep you and your family safe, and thus allow us to remain open during this time. Due to the highly contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19, we are updating some of our COVID protocols. Our goal, as always, is to continue providing quality dance classes to everyone while we navigate the pandemic.
We will continue to follow these protocols:
- require masks for everyone in the studio
- sanitize hands upon entrance
- run HEPA air filters
- ensure that our faculty and staff are vaccinated
- fog the studio spaces daily
- leave studio doors open to increase air circulation
- practice social distancing in class
Masks must be worn AT ALL TIMES. If a student needs to drink water during class, they may do so by lifting up their mask from their mouth while keeping it over their nose. Students should go outside if they need to remove their mask for any reason. Because of supply chain issues and cost, we are unable to provide masks at this time. Please make sure that you have extras when you come to class.
Our Artistic Director, Dr. Grace Bagwell Adams, is also an Assistant Dean in the College of Public Health at The University of Georgia. WIth her expertise, we have determined that the following additional precautionary measures are the best course of action during the Omicron spread:
*NEW* YOUTH PROTOCOLS
- Students must sanitize hands when entering the studio AND when leaving the studio.
- To limit the number of people in the studio, our lobby area will be closed. Parents and caregivers must now wait outside while their student is in class.
- DROP-OFF
- Ages 6 and under: a masked adult may bring these students to the door of their class. If your child needs help changing clothes, you may accompany them inside to help them. After you drop them at class, please wait outside of the studio building. You can wait in your car or on the covered dock area outside.
- Ages 7 and up: Please drop your student at the front desk. Our admin staff will lead them to class if needed.
- PICK-UP
- Please wait outside for your student. Our admin staff will release students to their parents or guardians when class ends.
- DROP-OFF
*NEW* ADULT PROTOCOLS
- Adults are strongly encouraged to pre-register for drop-in classes to assist with our contact tracing efforts.
- Adults must sanitize hands when entering the studio and when leaving the studio.
CONTACT TRACING AND QUARANTINES
- If you receive a positive COVID test, please notify The Studio as soon as possible through our Covid Reporting Form.
- We recognize the CDC recently changed guidelines on quarantine duration. However, the science is still emerging and due to transmission of Omicron, we will continue to adhere to a 10 day quarantine unless negative PCR test results are presented.
- If an entire class must quarantine due to an in-class exposure, class will be provided virtually.
UPDATE 8/15/2021:
We have updated our COVID-19 protocols and now have a reporting system in place for any COVID positive students. Please fill out the form below if your student has tested positive for COVID:
If your student has a direct exposure with someone who is positive for COVID-19, we ask that you either:
- test ON or AFTER the 5th day from the initial exposure and have a negative test before returning to class or
- wait out a quarantine period of 10 days from the initial exposure.
All COVID-19 policies will be reviewed and revised monthly to ensure compliance with the latest available CDC guidance and local transmission data.
UPDATE 7/27/2021: In light of the new CDC regulations for masks, we have made the following adjustments to our COVID-19 protocols.
**Effective immediately, all adults entering The Studio must be masked at all times, regardless of vaccination status. If you do not have a mask, we will give you one at the front door.**
The CDC has released the recommendation that fully vaccinated people should wear masks indoors in areas with “substantial” and “high” transmission rates – Athens currently has a “substantial” transmission rate. This recommendation is based on research that shows that vaccinated individuals can have as much virus as those who are unvaccinated, which indicates that even vaccinated individuals can transmit the virus. The two other factors are the prevalence of the Delta variant and low vaccine rates across the US, including in Athens.
Until Athens has a higher vaccination rate and the Delta variant is under control, masks will be required in all indoor spaces at The Studio at all times.
UPDATE 5/16/2021: In light of the new CDC regulations for masks, we have made the following adjustments to our COVID-19 protocols:
Masks are now optional for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in adult classes only. Until children of all ages can be vaccinated, masks are still required for staff, adults, and children in classes for children ages 15 and younger.
What is “fully vaccinated”?
We are following CDC guidelines on vaccinations, so you are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your second shot (or only one shot of Johnson & Johnson). This allows your body to have time to develop antibodies to protect you and everyone else.
How do I show you I’m vaccinated?
Before your first class at The Studio, you will show us your vaccination card at check-in so we can put a note in your file.
Do I have to wear a mask?
If you are fully vaccinated, you do not have to wear a mask while you are in your class. You are required wear one while moving about the studio (lobby, bathroom, and common areas) as there may be children in the building who are not yet fully vaccinated quite yet. And, of course, you are welcome to wear one the entire time if that makes you more comfortable.
What if I am not getting the vaccine?
While we encourage everyone who can to get the vaccine, we understand that you may choose not to. You will be required to wear a mask while inside our studio.
Anything else I should know?
While we are confirming all attendees have received the vaccine more than 14 days ago, we cannot fully guarantee safety, non transmission, or anything other than we have confirmed the vaccinated status of those attending in these classes. We will continue to be social distancing in classes as well as disinfecting and following all other safety protocols to keep everyone as safe as possible. The only thing that has changed is that students who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks.
