20/21 School Year Covid-19
Policies and Procedures
Last Updated 1/20/21
On January 13, 2021, Youth Theatre Northwest was made aware of updates to the Washington State Covid-19 Guidelines provided for Youth Development. We immediately moved our in-person programming online while we sought better understanding of where YTN fit in the new guidelines. On January 14, 2021, the guidelines for Performing Arts programs were released. This document broadly addressed Performing Arts rehearsals and performances based on the Governor’s reopening plan announced on January 11, 2021.
In response, YTN reached out to similar organizations, advocates in Olympia, and our board members to assess the changes and determined the best path forward.
YTN’s current Covid-19 Guidelines exceed those provided, and with our unique facility we are able to take advantage of outdoor space and excellent airflow. The theatre especially can have multiple doors open in an already large space. We are confident that we are going above and beyond what is required to ensure that students and staff can safely access the programs they so desperately need right now providing social/emotional learning, creative development, and care support outside the home.
Following the January 18, 2021 board-meeting discussion, YTN plans to shift Covid-19 safety procedures to better align with the newly released guidelines for theaters.
After careful review, we feel the best compliance will come by dividing our programming between two different guidelines.
Rehearsals/Classes:
(All participants will remain masked; YTN will not be rehearsing without masks at this time.)
Camps (Summer/Breaks)
Will remain as before, following the Day Camp guidelines: https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/schools-childcare.aspx
Additional source material: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/DOH-OSPI-DYCF-SchoolsChildCareGuidance.pdf