Chorus of Westerly COVID-19 Policies
Policies and procedures are also subject to change at anytime without advance notice.
Last update: March 17, 2024
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Facial coverings (‘masks’) are no longer required to be worn in the George Kent Performance Hall for meetings, rehearsals, concerts, or any other activity*. However, we recommend that you wear a mask if you are not vaccinated against Covid-19, if you have recently recovered from Covid-19 or another spreadable virus (such as flu, RSV, colds, etc.), or if you have been a recent close contact of someone with Covid-19 or another spreadable virus. We encourage everyone to self-screen for all potentially contagious conditions prior to entering Kent Hall. If you are displaying symptoms and are sick, please stay home, rest, and get well!
Proof of vaccination or proof of a negative Covid-19 tests are not required from audience members or performers to enter Kent Hall.
On March 1, 2024, the CDC changed its recommendation for isolation regarding Covid-19. The Chorus policies have been to follow CDC guidance for Covid-19 and continues to do so. This updated CDC guidance is related to Covid-19 and all respiratory viruses is as follows:
"The updated Respiratory Virus Guidance recommends that people stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both their symptoms are getting better overall, and they have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Note that depending on the length of symptoms, this period could be shorter, the same, or longer than the previous guidance for COVID-19. It is important to note that the guidance doesn’t end with staying home and away from others when sick. The guidance encourages added precaution over the next five days after time at home, away from others, is over.
Since some people remain contagious beyond the “stay-at-home” period, a period of added precaution using prevention strategies, such as taking more steps for cleaner air, enhancing hygiene practices, wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others, and/or getting tested for respiratory viruses can lower the chance of spreading respiratory viruses to others."
As such, if you have recently tested positive for Covid-19 or know you have a respiratory virus, please do not enter Kent Hall or come to the Chorus, until you are fever-free for at least 24-hours (without fever-reducing medication) and until your symptoms are improving for at least 24-hours and you are well. Given the nature of our activity at Kent Hall - music-making and singing in close quarters - we still STRONGLY recommend you consider wearing a mask if you still have any lingering symptoms and/or for 5-10 days since symptoms onset.
For private Kent Hall rentals/events not produced by the Chorus, COVID policies are set on a case-by-case basis between the renter and the Chorus (unless local regulations dictate a particular policy and are communicated to the outside users upon rental agreement) and may differ from this policy.
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**Disclaimer for everyone entering Kent Hall**
Risks of Covid-19 remain. Be advised that anyone entering the George Kent Performance Hall for any purpose is doing so at their own risk and of their own choosing during the times of spread of Covid-19, its variants, and other contagious seasonal viruses in our region. Active music-making, singing, and other similar activities take place in Kent Hall and there is always a risk that viral transmissions can occur in such settings. The Chorus of Westerly, its staff, board, volunteers, contractors, agents, and associates, makes no guarantees of safety or health to any individual, group, or business, regarding Covid-19 and other viruses and their spread while inside Kent Hall. You enter Kent Hall and attend concerts, events, programs, meetings, rehearsals, activities, with full knowledge of this risk. If you are uncomfortable with this risk or do not accept it for yourself or members of your family, do not enter the George Kent Performance Hall.