9 July 2020 21:26
Dance classes can resume from 25 July
Following further guidance issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport today (9 July) we are delighted that dance schools and dance studios in England will be able to re-open for classes from 25 July.
As a professional membership organization the RAD strongly advises that all our teachers follow the best practices as laid out in the government guidelines and to follow the RAD’s guidance. Specifically, RAD teachers should have completed the following:
- Undertaken a COVID-19 Risk Assessment
- Created a written Health and Safety Policy specifying extra measures to be taken on account of COVID-19
- Have a Designated Safeguarding Lead identified. If you have not received this training we strongly urge you to undertake this as soon as possible, but if training in your area is unavailable please try to identify someone who may act in this capacity during the interim
- Have a first-aider on site.
Official guidance
We furthermore suggest that you all read and comply with the latest UK government advice on this topic. While this guidance applies to England, you should always consider whether there are additional local restrictions in place in your area. If so, you should first read the guidance relevant to your area as this may supersede guidance in these documents.
- Government announces gyms and pools to reopen safely
- Working safely during coronavirus (Providers of grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities)
- Managing risks and risk assessment at work
Additional detail on social distancing and sports at grassroots and community level can be found in the outdoor sport and recreation guidance.
Key Measures that need to be in place
- Minimising contact with individuals who are unwell by ensuring those who have Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms do not attend classes. This also applies if a member of their family has symptoms or if they have been advised by NHS Test & Trace as ‘a close contact’ to isolate at home. Teachers should hold the relevant data to assist with Test & Trace.
- Encouraging all staff and students to wash their hands more often than usual, including before and after class and before and after using toilet/washroom facilities
- Ensuring good respiratory hygiene by promoting the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach
- Cleaning frequently touched surfaces more often than usual using standard products, such as detergent or bleach
- Increased frequency of cleaning of toilets and washrooms
- Where possible, temporary floor marking defining required spacing per individual should be provided
- Encourage students to arrive in uniform
- Manage occupancy of classes and allow long enough breaks between classes to ensure enough time for cleaning
- Avoid attendance by spectators and non-attending children
- Introduce more one way flow routes through buildings
Anxious about going back to dance class?
Our primary concern is the health and wellbeing of our teachers, students, exam candidates and our wider communities. We understand that people may feel anxious about a return to the dance studio. We have issued guidelines to RAD teachers, in line with current government advice, to help them to prepare for a safe return.
The first step in that preparation is to talk to their students and parents directly, the second is to create robust and transparent policies and procedures following risk assessments and the third is to communicate them clearly and concisely to staff, students and parents. We recommend getting in touch with your dance teacher to hear their plans.