COVID-19 Safety Plan

Living Things Festival is committed to the safety and well-being of our patrons, staff, volunteers, artists, and community at large. As part of that, we are monitoring advice and complying with regulations set forth by the BC Ministry of Health and WorkSafeBC to ensure that we are in accordance and follow best practices to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

Please note, these policies are subject to change at any time in accordance with regulations set forth by the BC Ministry of Health and WorkSafeBC.

• This Living Things Festival COVID-19 Safety Plan will be clearly posted on the website as well as on ticket purchase pages before check-out, and all confirmation emails. Updates will be made as required in accordance with the current safety measures and will be communicated with ticket purchasers.

• Capacities and seating plans will follow guidelines and regulations set forth by health authorities and individual venues and will be adjusted as required. With this in mind, we are preparing to offer a digital format, when possible, if we are unable to provide an in-person performance.

• Anyone experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or anyone who has travelled outside of Canada in the 14 days prior or has provided care or has close contact with a person with confirmed COVID-19 will not be permitted to attend and will be provided with a refund. If a guest does not feel comfortable attending an event for any reason related to COVID-19, they will be provided with a refund if requested in advance of the performance.

• In case of in-person events, staggered entrance times will be distributed with safety information and protocols, to ensure that there is sufficient space for physical distancing in the venue before, during, and when exiting the performance.

• Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout venues both back of house and front of house, and guests will be encouraged to use them frequently.

• Upon arrival at the venue, ticket holders will be expected to line up outside. Clearly visible signage and markings will encourage physical distancing and reinforce what is expected of them once they are inside the venue. These signs will include a reminder to wear masks at all times, information on cleaning practices, warnings about potential washroom lines, and an encouragement to remain in their seats during their visit.

• Staff and/or Volunteers at the entrance of the venue will iterate safety measures and protocols verbally.

• Ticket holders, staff, volunteers, and artists (when not performing) will be required to wear a mask at all times and a mask will be provided to anyone who does not have one.

• If performers, stage managers, or creative team members must get within 6 feet of one another, it will be done with the explicit consent of all parties and the written understanding of the risks involved. If staff are required to be closer than 6 feet to a performer they will be required to wear a three-ply fabric mask as well as plastic face shields. Time spent in close proximity will be as limited as possible.

• Microphones and body mics will be disinfected before and after every use. If a technician is required to adjust the position or set a body mic on a performer, they will be required to wear a three-ply mask and face shield.

• The use of common spaces will be limited, and time spent before a show will be limited to personal stations or dressing rooms. Similarly, stage management will remain in their office whenever possible, and the crew will remain at their technical station.

• Dressing rooms and stations between technical/stage management areas backstage will reflect a physical distance of six feet where possible. Performers will also be given separate dressing rooms and bathrooms if possible.

• Cleaning of dressing rooms, common touch areas backstage, the theatre control booth, and crew and cast bathrooms will be done on a daily basis or more frequently.

• Areas in the wings where an actor or crew member prepares to come onstage will be set up utilizing physical distancing.

• Hand sanitizer will be available backstage and in all common areas.

• Entrances and exits will be divided between performers to allow for physical distancing wherever possible.

• We recognize the importance of not coming to work when sick may conflict with the idea that “the show must go on.” However, performers, staff, and volunteers must not come to work if they are experiencing any cold, flu, or COVID-19-like symptoms, such as coughing, fever, or sneezing. A full list of COVID-19 symptoms can be referenced here. Efforts will be taken to ensure that team members feel comfortable coming forward if they are feeling unwell. Staff and volunteers will also be required to fill out the Living Things Festival Self Assessment Declaration each day before attending a shift.

• Personal protective equipment will be provided to all staff and volunteers as well as having hand sanitizing stations throughout the venue both front and back of house. Time spent in close proximity will be as limited as possible and every effort will be made to adhere to this.

Capitalism Works for Me:  TRUE/FALSE is a large, outdoor installation, where members of the public will be encouraged to take part in a discussion on the intricacies of this question, and then to vote TRUE/FALSE, using large buttons attached to a massive scoreboard.  The following considerations will be in effect for this event:

• This work is a temporary public art piece.
• This installation is not a ‘show’, nor is it a coordinated ‘gathering’. This is an opportunity for people to engage with this question as they pass by.
• We are committed to observing PHOs and pandemic sensibilities: 
• Volunteers, and any members of the public they engage with, will remain socially distanced from one another and will wear masks.  
• We will not have masks available to participants, therefore the installation will only be available to masked individuals.  We will have signage to indicate this.  
• This COVID plan will be posted onsite, as well as signage reminding participants to socially distance themselves during any conversations.  
• We will ask participants to sanitize their hands before and after voting and will have equipment present to enable this.
• If necessary, we will provide additional indicators to reinforce social distancing between members of the public and volunteers/others.