This Pandemic has turned the world upside down, but we are excited to announce that on June 6, 2020 students will be able to return to Aria Ballroom for private dance lessons! Although we are opening for business soon, group classes and parties will continue being postponed. Below we go into all the specific details of what is expected before returning for private lessons.
We also encourage you to watch this safety video outlining the ways we are working to stop the spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Safety Guidelines Video from Aria Ballroom on Vimeo.
This pandemic is difficult on all of us, and we are all anxious to return dancing with this amazing community as soon as possible. In order to do so, it is important that we all understand what we know about this disease and how to prevent its spread.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that is spread through droplets sprayed from the mouth or nose by coughing, sneezing, talking and breathing. COVID-19 can be spread asymptomatically, therefore we should all assume we have it and can transmit it to others. The severity of the disease seems to be related to the potential viral load. Physical barriers such as masks, social distancing and proper hygiene are all essential and effective ways to help lessen this load.
As the restrictions on our business are slowly being lifted, Aria Ballroom is committed to ensuring a safe and clean environment to which all our instructors, staff and students may return. The teachers and staff have their guidelines, but we need your help too. The following are the guidelines we are currently asking you to practice.
Student Guidelines
Every client stepping foot in the studio has a responsibility to help protect the health and well-being of their fellow dancers.
Anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 who has not yet recovered or who has not yet completed the required 14-day quarantine; who has had symptoms of COVID-19 within the last 24 hours; and those who have had contact with someone who had or was suspected to have COVID-19 within the last 14 days are not allowed to enter the ballroom.
PRIOR TO ENTRY
- Safety Video and Consent Waiver: Prior to returning to the studio for lessons, your teacher will send you a safety video. Please watch this video and sign the COVID-19 consent waiver and the separate commitment to adhere to the studio’s reopening policies. Return these to your teacher before your first lesson so they can log it into the system. You will only be required to do this once.
- Liability Waiver: According to CDC guidelines and those provided to us by the Governor, students over the age of 65 or who are immunocompromised are considered to be “high risk” and particularly vulnerable at this time. Any “High Risk” client will be required to sign a separate waiver of liability before returning to the studio. If you are unsure if you might be considered “High Risk,” please watch the video below:
- Masks: All Aria Ballroom teachers and staff will be wearing masks for your protection. We ask all students to also wear a mask while on studio premises and have it on prior to entering the studio. Any student who arrives without a mask may purchase one from Aria Ballroom.
- Social Distancing: In order to promote social distancing, a limited number of private lessons will be allowed at any one time. There will be no group classes or social dance parties. Private practice will be strictly limited. We appreciate all our students’ understanding, patience and flexibility during this time.
ONCE INSIDE THE BALLROOM:
- No Changing Rooms: We apologize for the inconvenience, but the changing rooms will be off limits to all students at this time. Please wear your training attire to the ballroom.
- Wash Your Hands: Immediately upon entering the ballroom, please wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer. Also, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer again at the end of the lesson. Our teachers will be doing the same.
- Home Base: Having washed your hands, go immediately into the ballroom and choose an unoccupied chair. Place all your personal items on, under, or beside (but not in front of) the chair. Do not move the chair. This chair will serve as your “home base” throughout the length of the private lesson or private practice session.
- Private Practice: Private practice outside of designated practice times is not allowed – this includes before and after a private lesson – unless permission is expressly given. Private practice will be limited to only those students who are currently taking private lessons at Aria Ballroom. If the floor is too crowded for personal practice, or should a private lesson begin during a practice session that would make the floor too crowded, any student not currently engaged in a private lesson shall wait at their “home base” for their lesson to begin or space to open up on the dance floor.
- Social Distancing on the Dance Floor: There shall be no more than 10 students and 5 teachers, or 15 total dancers, on the floor at any one time. Dancers shall make all possible attempts to maintain 6 feet of separation between themselves and all other dancers (except their partner/teacher).
- Water and Food: As the studio will not be providing water bottles, we ask that you bring your own personal water bottle. The water fountain may be used only as a place for refilling your water bottle. Only one person shall be allowed at the water fountain at a time, therefore if someone else is using the fountain, we ask that you practice safe social distancing while awaiting your turn. We also ask that you do not bring any food or snacks into the studio.
- The Lobby and Bathrooms: The lobby is to be considered “closed” except to simply pass through. There will be no waiting or congregating in the lobby. Only one person is allowed to wait for the bathroom or at the front desk at a time.
- The Music Station: Students will not be allowed to touch the music station for any reason. Should you wish to change the music, please ask a member of the staff to switch the music system for you.
What Aria Ballroom Management Ensures for Your Safety:
- All commonly touched surfaces are disinfected regularly throughout the day.
- Each chair is wiped down with disinfectant after every student’s session.
- Both the front and back doors are kept open during private lessons and designated practice sessions for increased ventilation.
- The lobby, changing rooms, music station, and area behind the half-wall are closed to all non-staff members.
- All the chairs in the ballroom are placed at certain distances in order to maintain proper social distancing. In order for us to keep your home base safe, please do not move the chairs in the ballroom.
We thank you all for your cooperation and assistance in adhering to these requirements during the midst of this pandemic. With your help, we will get through this. We cannot wait to safely return to the studio and dance with you all again!
If you would like more information on Covid-19, please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web page or the Washington State Coronavirus Response web page.