COVID-19 Update
November 6, 2020
As of November 7, 2020, York Region will move to the “RESTRICT” level based on the Government of Ontario’s COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open. The Aurora Cultural Centre continues to prioritize the health and safety of community, and has made required adjustments to ensure strict adherence to all updated protocols. All in-person classes, workshops and performing arts event safety measures can be found below. As information continues to be updated, we will keep you posted on this page. If you have questions or feedback, please reach out to us at info@auroraculturalcentre.ca and we will respond to your inquiry. We appreciate your cooperation as we safely gather together again this season.
Health and Safety Measures
The health and safety of our patrons is extremely important to us. We are continuously working with artists, instructors, partners, staff and volunteers and will communicate with patrons regarding the status of upcoming events and programs. As public health guidelines evolve, we will update our processes accordingly, and communicate them to you. Please scroll down below this message for further health and safety protocols specific to registered educational programs and performing arts events.
What you can expect from us this Fall?
Physical Distancing
- All patrons, students, volunteers, contractors and staff will maintain a physical distance of 2 meters. Further guidelines can be found below under each specific program.
Masks/Face Coverings/Plexi-Glas Safety Shields
- Masks/face coverings are mandatory for entry into any inside venues, unless you have a medical reason not to wear one as per York Region Public Health guidelines.
- PPE in the form of non-medical paper masks will be available for patrons, students or instructors who fail to provide their own, at no charge.
- York Region Public Health safety signage will be placed throughout the venue.
- All persons entering the venue must wear a face covering that securely covers the nose, mouth and chin.
- See York Region’s Mandatory Use of Face Masks and Coverings for more information and exceptions.
- Performing artists inside and outside will perform behind Plexi-Glas safety shields
Contact Tracing
- As mandated by York Region all students, instructors, patrons, musicians, technical support staff, Centre staff and volunteers will be required to provide their name, phone number and contact email addresses for contact tracing purposes.
- This information will be kept on file for 30 days after the event, after which it will be destroyed.
- This information will be provided to York Region Public Health in the event of an outbreak.
- If you test positive for COVID-19 throughout your program duration, we ask that you inform your local public health unit of your attendance in our class.
Cleaning/Disinfecting
- Staff will provide cleaning and sanitization of high touch points such as door handles and washroom areas throughout the day.
- Ample time between classes will allow our team to clean and sanitize high touch points for the next class.
- Hand sanitizer will be available at the entry/exit points, and in programming and venue spaces.
- Participants are asked to wash or sanitize their hands upon entry and throughout the program duration.
- Guidance on Cleaning and Disinfecting for Public Settings has been provided by Public Health Ontario.
We look forward to welcoming you back to a safe environment where you can feel inspired to create. Please read carefully below about our new health and safety protocols as they apply to registered programs. All patrons are required to follow COVID-19 protocols as outlined below. Those who refuse to follow these guidelines will be asked to leave the facility. We appreciate your understanding.
Facility Access/Participant Screening
- All programs must be pre-registered. Participants will be required to submit registration information at time of purchase. Participants will be unable to “drop in” to any program.
- Parents/guardians and others accompanying participants will not be permitted into the facility. Participants must be dropped at the door and enter alone to limit the number of individuals that enter the facility.
- Participants can enter the facility up to 15 minutes prior to their program start time.
- Participants must leave the program facility within 15 minutes of their program ending.
- All participants will complete a verbal screening assessment before they enter the program facility.
- Participants who show any symptoms will be directed to return home and seek medical advice immediately.
- Instructors, staff and volunteers will pre-screen before they enter the program facility, and will not enter if ill.
Masks/Face Coverings
- Masks/face coverings are mandatory in our programs unless you have a medical reason not to wear one as per York Region Public Health guidelines.
- All persons entering the program facility must wear a face covering that securely covers the nose, mouth and chin.
- See York Region’s Mandatory Use of Face Masks and Coverings for more information and exceptions.
Physical Distancing
- Class sizes have been reduced to ensure that there is ample physical distance between participant work stations. Most class sizes have a maximum capacity of 10 or smaller.
- Participants must stay in their designated program area and cannot visit other indoor areas of the facility aside from washrooms.
- Participants will not be able to congregate in common areas.
Program Supplies
- Most art supplies are provided by the participant via a materials list to avoid sharing of supplies. Some specialty materials are provided by the instructor for certain workshops. Check individual programs for more information. Where materials are supplied they will be disinfected and sanitized.
- Participants are asked to bring their own water and water bottles. Water coolers are unavailable.
- Please limit the number of other items you bring to the program facility. Lost and found items will be kept for a maximum of 24 hours, then disposed.
- Please label any item or supply you bring into the program facility.
- Please keep all belongings with you at your workstation, including your coat.
Refunds/Cancellations
- In accordance with COVID-19 Ontario public health and safety guidelines, a patron who feels unwell or is no longer comfortable attending an in-person event/program can request a full refund by emailing info@auroraculturalcentre.ca.
- If you are enrolled in a multi-week program and are unable to attend a particular weekly session, you can request a partial refund for the cost of that session by emailing info@auroraculturalcentre.ca.
- Alternative to a refund, you may instead opt to use the value of the missed session as a credit towards a future program or event by emailing info@auroraculturalcentre.ca.
- If a program is cancelled by the Centre you will receive a full refund.
- If you test positive for COVID-19 throughout your program duration, we ask that you inform your local public health unit of your attendance in our class.
We look forward to welcoming you back to a safe environment where you can enjoy live music once again. Please read carefully below about our new health and safety protocols as they apply to events, performances and live stream. All patrons are required to follow COVID-19 protocols as outlined below. Those who refuse to follow these guidelines will be asked to leave the venue. We appreciate your understanding.
Facility Access/Participant Screening
- Concert tickets will only be sold in advance; no at-door sales are available.
- Ticket holders will be permitted to the concert facility at the posted time of general admission seating.
- Ticket holders are requested to exit the facility within 15 minutes of the end of the evening.
- All ticket holders will receive an email on the day of performance with a series of health screening questions. Those feeling unwell are encouraged to stay at home. These questions will be repeated at time of general admission entry to the concert.
- Participants who show any symptoms will be directed to return home and seek medical advice immediately.
- Musicians, technical support staff, Centre staff and volunteers will all pre-screen before they enter the facility, and will not enter if ill.
Masks/Face Coverings/Plexi-Glass Safety Shield
- Masks/face coverings are mandatory for entry into the venue, unless you have a medical reason not to wear one as per York Region Public Health guidelines.
- All persons entering the program facility must wear a face covering that securely covers the nose, mouth and chin.
- Patrons are required to keep their masks on at all times during the event, other than when eating and drinking. This includes when they are seated at their tables.
- All staff, volunteers and technical staff will wear face masks throughout the event.
- Due to the nature of performance, musicians will not be masked on stage. The musicians will perform behind transparent Plexi-glass shields to prevent the spread of droplets. Patron seating will be physically-distanced from the stage.
- See York Region’s Mandatory Use of Face Masks and Coverings for more information and exceptions.
Physical Distancing
- Venue capacity has been significantly reduced to ensure that there is appropriate physical distance of 2 meters.
- Patrons will be seated at tables, which are physically-distanced by 2 meters from the back of each seat.
- Patrons are able to sit with their small social circle of up to 3 people per table. Sorry, we are not able to accommodate 4 or more people per table.
- We are unable to move tables together.
- Patrons are requested to remain seated during the event, with the exception of visiting the washrooms.
- Please do not visit the bar; table service will be provided by the venue for drinks and food delivery
- Patrons will not be able to congregate in common areas. Please follow the directions of the Front of House Manager and event volunteers to move swiftly to your table.
Refunds/Cancellations
- In accordance with COVID-19 Ontario public health and safety guidelines, a patron who feels unwell or is no longer comfortable attending an in-person event/program can request a full refund by emailing info@auroraculturalcentre.ca.
- Alternative to a refund, you may instead opt to use the value of the missed event as a credit towards a future program or event by emailing info@auroraculturalcentre.ca.
- If a program or event is cancelled by the Centre you will receive a full refund.
Live Stream
- Please note that some events will be live streamed on the web for patrons who have purchased a digital ticket.
- In cases of events that are recorded for live stream, cameras will be placed on stage. A camera operator will be filming in the event space.