Hello everyone,
Our county board of health has recently issued specific COVID-19 safety guidelines for the performing arts. The requirements are as expected in most cases, and we have already implemented most of the recommended safety measures, such as vaccination mandates for actors and audience, ventilation improvements, etc.
However, they have now added a requirement that all performers must wear facemasks throughout the performance. This applies to actors, singers, musicians, everyone. Of course this pretty much shuts us down, since a play where all the actors are masked throughout the show is just not acceptable to us. We have a meeting scheduled with the county next week to discuss this new rule and I am gathering "ammunition" from other US cities and counties. We are all for safety, but this new rule seems ridiculous when compared to "open and safe" restaurant guidelines where you can dine and drink for hours without a mask.
If your local health department has instituted such a rule, please chime in and let me know how you have handled it. I could also use a head count of theatres that are open and safe with no such rule in place.
Thank you for any help you can offer!
Patty Thayer
Communications & Development Director
San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre
San Luis Obispo, California
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Patty Thayer
Communications and Development Director
San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre
San Luis Obispo CA
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