The first and most important point to note is that by attending any events organised or hosted by London City Voices, you are accepting in full any risk of contracting COVID-19, and you agree to indemnify London City Voices Ltd against said risk. Basically, if you're worried about contracting COVID, don't come.
At London City Voices, we want people to be as safe as possible while attending our rehearsals. As a result, we will make sure we:
• Follow all government guidelines
• Follow industry best practice, advice and guidelines
• Take most recent research data into account and act in accordance with it
• Look at each location individually and assess risks specific to that space
• Follow all venue protocols and restrictions
• Safeguard our members with best practice at all times
• Ensure all members are compliant with both our protocols and those of the venue/location
Current Guidelines
Currently in England there are no restrictions on our rehearsals. We can meet indoors, unmasked and ‘mingling’ is permitted. However, we will continue to put in place the following mitigations to keep our rehearsals as safe as possible:
All members should sanitise hands on arrival at the venue and again if you go outside the hall for any reason (fresh air, to take a call, to use the toilet)
All members are asked to be considerate of those around them. Some members may prefer more space around them so please work together to ensure everyone feels comfortably spaced.
All possible doors and windows will be open for the duration of the rehearsal. As we enter the colder months you may therefore wish to bring extra layers or a blanket. Some doors may be closed if the cold/wind is excessive providing we still have a flow of ventilation through the room
Masks are not necessary unless you wish to wear one. This is a personal choice under current guidelines but of course this may be updated during the term.
Please maintain social distancing on entry and exit and before and after the rehearsal. Please be aware that some people are less comfortable with proximity than others. Keep your distance if you are not sure.
Please make sure that similarly you keep your distance from your choir leader and in particular don’t crowd them at the end. They are always happy to speak to you but please be aware of their space too.
If you have any concerns during the rehearsal, please let the Choir Director know.
The Rehearsal
There is always a register on the door and it is imperative that you tick your name on this attendance sheet at every rehearsal you come to. We need to keep accurate records in case of a positive Covid test.
Members must provide their own music sheets for the rehearsal. These can be downloaded and printed from the website or stored on a tablet or phone.
Members must adhere to all the guidelines associated with the venue and the rehearsal and must act immediately on instructions given by the Choir Director
Please maintain social distancing when moving round the building. Anyone using the toilets must sanitise their hands on returning to the rehearsal. This is in addition to normal hand-washing after using the toilet.
General
Members must not attend rehearsals if they have a temperature or are displaying any symptoms of illness.
If you have been in contact with anyone displaying symptoms or who has recently tested positive for Covid-19 please think very carefully before attending and ensure that you take a covid test before the rehearsal and for 2 days afterwards. If in doubt, please stay away and join our online session instead.
Members may be asked to confirm their health status on arrival.
Members are encouraged to take a Lateral Flow Test (LFT) before rehearsals if possible. This will help to keep everyone safe and stop the spread of the virus.
London City Voices must be notified immediately if any member of the choir has a positive test for Covid-19 within 48 hours of attending a rehearsal.
Our Guidelines and Risk Assessment
London City Voices is closely following and adhering to all the research and guidance by our professional organisations including ABCD (Association of British Choral Directors) and Making Music who are constantly liaising with the DCMS and the Government to clarify and update the current guidelines.
We hope that we can run a relatively normal term, but will update our guidance as necessary and members will be expected to adhere to any changing protocols as necessary.
By attending any rehearsal in person, you are accepting and agreeing with all the statements below in full.
I have read the risk assessment above, carefully and in full and I understand the contents.
I agree to comply with all the regulations and protocols that have been set out in the assessment and will co-operate fully with London City Voices staff/designated choir helpers to ensure that I remain in compliance at all times.
If any further protocols are requested at or during a rehearsal I will comply.
If I am feeling unwell or have any symptoms I will not attend the rehearsal.
If I become unwell during a rehearsal I will notify the Choir Director immediately.
I will notify the Choir Director if I believe there are any breaches in the protocols - this protects me and others in the room.
If I have any symptoms or have a positive test for Covid-19 in the 48 hours after attending the rehearsal I will notify the Choir Director immediately.
Finally, another reminder that London City Voices is running an online option. If you have any doubts about attending in person or consider yourself vulnerable you should think carefully before making the decision to attend the in-person rehearsals. Ultimately you do so of your own volition and you agree to completely indemnify London City Voices from any risk.
London City Voices Ltd. 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AX. Company number 10069596