Update from CEO Sheila Creevey

Spring 2022 is looking brighter for the dance community as we welcome the lifting of public health restrictions by the Government this past week. However, we are not yet out of the woods. The pandemic is not yet over, and COVID-19 infections are still at a very high level. So, I want to share with you how Dance Ireland is responding.

At DanceHouse we will continue our cautious approach, maintaining most of our COVID-19 health and safety protocols and gradually lifting other restrictions. This is to ensure the health and safety of our staff and all users of our studios and facilities.

Maintaining:

• All bookings will still be required to complete booking forms and a risk assessment that consider the impact of COVID-19 on staff, users, and participants at DanceHouse.
• Staggered entry, exit and break times will be kept in place, including set ventilation periods between bookings.
• All users of DanceHouse are still required to wear facemasks in common and shared areas of DanceHouse at all times, and to use hand sanitiser and to follow cleaning protocols as requested.
• The Artists Kitchen and changing rooms have reopened, with limited capacities unchanged and clearly signed in these areas.

Changing:

• We are pleased to be able to increase maximum capacities in our studios for rehearsals and residencies, now set at 30 for a large studio, 20 for medium studios and 9 for a small studio. The Resource Room capacity for seated bookings has been increased to 15.
• Increased capacities for classes and Dance Ireland programme events (within the maximums outline above) will be agreed with artists and programme leaders on a case-by-case basis. Hybrid programming will continue as an important means by which artists from across the country can access our supports online or in person.
• The pod system is no longer required for dance classes.

We urge all dance artists and organisations to continue to adhere to safe practice protocols for COVID-19, as we know how devastating an outbreak can be on productions and performances. Given the high prevalence of COVID-19 in the community, this is still a serious risk. It is important to understand your responsibilities as an employer, teacher or leader for dance activities and keep up to date with evolving guidance on the gov.ie website.

Our hope is that over the next few months we will be able to gradually and safely reopen to our full pre-pandemic capacities; and be able to come together with renewed energy and determination to bring the joy of dance to as many people as possible. At Dance Ireland, we will continue to review our approach and reopening plans and will keep you up to date as changes are implemented. If you have any questions, you can contact us at info@danceireland.ie or phone 01 855 8800.