Maia Hendrickx Vocal Studios is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of singers and teaching staff. This commitment remains the same in the difficult circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak.

We are looking forward to offering face-to-face rehearsals, but we recognise that there may be periods of further disruption. In the event of face-to-face rehearsals being suspended, we will offer all our rehearsals online.

We will continue to use relevant guidance published by the DCMS to inform arrangements and decision-making to ensure rehearsals remain safe for all. Safeguarding will be a key consideration of all risk assessments carried out.
We will maintain a record of everybody on site on any given day.

We will thoroughly risk assess all our activities in line with our COVID Safety Policy, reviewing assessments quarterly or more regularly according to changes in Govt. policy.

In order to reduce the risk of Coronavirus transmission, we will follow the following procedures:

System of Controls

We will put in place a System of Controls comprising:
1. Minimising contact with individuals who are unwell by ensuring that those who have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, or who have someone in their household who does or have been advised by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate, do not attend our setting.
2. Cleaning hands more often than usual - washing hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with running water and soap and drying them thoroughly or using alcohol hand rub or sanitiser ensuring that all parts of the hands are covered.
3. Ensuring good respiratory hygiene by promoting the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach.
4. Cleaning frequently-touched surfaces more often than usual using standard products, such as detergents and bleach or anti-bacterial wipes.
5. Minimising contact and mixing by altering, as much as possible, the environment (such as layout) to ensure areas do not become overcrowded.
6. Where necessary, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

In response to any infection, we will:
7. engage with the NHS Test and Trace process. Where possible all spaces should also be well ventilated using natural
ventilation (opening windows).

We will apply this System of Controls as follows:

• Singers are asked that if they, or any member of their household, are experiencing COVID symptoms they do not attend. Attendance can be resumed once the isolation period has ended and a negative Lateral Flow Test is achieved.
• Surfaces will be cleaned at the start of each rehearsal.
• All singers will be asked to provide hand sanitiser and make use of the antibacterial wipes on arrival to and on exiting the rehearsal area.

•Only registered singers will be admitted to the area and registers will be taken to confirm attendance at each session.
• Singers will be asked to record their name and telephone number in order that we can contact them in the event of a Coronavirus outbreak.

In accordance with DCMS guidelines, it is ‘confirmed that there will be no limits on the number of people, including choirs or any other amateur performance groups, who can gather indoors or outdoors’.

• Singers will be asked to arrive on time for the start of the rehearsal or sectional in order to minimise crowding and ensure that everyone can be safely admitted at the correct time.
• Should sectional rehearsals take place, each ‘section’ will be asked to wait until the rehearsal area is cleared and sanitised before entering.

• In line with current Govt. guidlines for safer singing, the rehearsal space will be well-ventilated and a ‘chequer board’ layout will be used to make best use of space whilst giving each individual space.
• The use of face coverings is NOT required whilst singing, but is up to the individual.
• When moving around indoors, if 1m+ distance cannot be achieved, then we ask that singers wear a mask or face covering.
• All participants must have a mask or visor with them at all times whilst on site for situations that necessitate contact closer than 1 metres.
• Choir leader will be positioned at a comfortable distance from the singers and will be amplified.