MUNROE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Onsite Class Protocol 2020

The Munroe Center for the Arts is working within the scope of the MA Reopen Approach, and in association with the Lexington Board of Health to plan for a safe season of arts programming for the community.  Below are some practices that we have put into place, and some expectations that we have of students and camp families.  

All students, staff, and artists are asked to complete a MCA waiver before spending time in the building, to ensure that everyone is aware of the potential for virus exposure in public places.

Please self-certify each time that you enter the building (with your teacher or the MCA Office) that:
  1. You are feeling well, and free of any Covid-19 symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, recent lack of taste/smell).
  2. You do not have a temperature of 100.4º F or greater
  3. You have not been recently exposed to anyone known to have Covid-19 
  4. You have not been asked to self-isolate or quarantine by your doctor, local health official, or per travel guidelines
  • Staff are also asked to self-certify each day

Anyone not associated with a class is asked to log in at the stations located at all of the entry doors.
Visitors are asked to not gather inside the building.  This includes parents and siblings waiting for a family member to finish a class.

Please remember to wear your mask
  • In accordance with State law, masks are required for anyone visiting the MCA and in a public place - this includes the sidewalk around the building
  • Ask your teacher for a disposable mask if you forgot yours
  • If you need to take a break from wearing your mask, please step outside the classroom and away from other students or studios.  If the weather is hospitable, this break should happen outdoors.  For safety reasons, please wash your hands before and after touching your mask.

Please socially distance
  • Please respect social distance between yourself and other students, staff, and building tenants
  • Be mindful to maintain your distance as you approach common areas such as sinks, and doorways
  • When you arrive to class, please wait in your car until your class time.  This is asked so that we do not have people congregating in hallways waiting to go into a classroom.
  • Please note that doors will be designated as either IN or OUT, and stairs will be designated as either UP or DOWN.  Help us to help you keep safe distances by respecting these directions -- see map below --
  • Class sizes have been reduced to provide ample space for students

Please remember good hygiene
  • Keep your hands away from your face
  • Wash your hands with soap before and after class (if no soap and water is available, use hand sanitizer)
  • Please only use the same restroom each class (as indicated by your teacher)
  • If you are feeling sick, please stay home
  • To further reduce the spread of germs, we are not using the refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker, or water cooler
  • The MCA has contracted with our cleaners to disinfect all public touchpoints in addition to their nightly cleaning
  • Each school will also be sanitizing between classes, and as needed

Help reduce a viral load
  • During nice weather, classes will happen with the windows open for increased ventilation.  When the weather is hospitable, the exterior doors will also be open.
  • ​Visitors are discouraged from spending time in the MCA.  If students arrive early for classes, they should wait outside the building (in their car, etc.) until the class begins if it would otherwise result with them gathering in the hallways.​

Please feel free to ask your class instructor for any more details, or contact the MCA Executive Director, Cristina Burwell -  cristina@munroecenter.org

WHAT HAPPENS IF . . .

We ask that everyone who enters the building sign in.  We will have log-in books at each entrance with hand sanitizer.  We will also have a touch-less option, and will provide a QR code for folks to log in via their phones.  Should there ever be a positive case of COVID-19 this will help us to reduce the spread of infection.

In the event someone in our community has been exposed or tests positive, the MCA Office shall be notified right away so that we can communicate with the Lexington Public Health Department, and anyone else that may have potentially been infected, as well as the cleaning staff.

Someone in the MCA building becomes sick

If someone presents with any symptoms of COVID-19, they will be taken to the gallery space (rm. 213) and directed to the camp sick bed area for isolation.  A student’s parent shall be notified for immediate pick-up, and asked to contact their healthcare provider, and may be asked to isolate.  Sick individuals are asked to leave by the front door on the Arlington side (or the nearest exit).   MCA School Directors will be then taking the advice of the student or staff member’s healthcare provider with respect to their return to class, etc. and schools will update the MCA Office.  The MCA Office will be in contact with the Lexington Public Health Department as needed.

A student, staff, or tenant tests positive for COVID-19

If this situation occurs, the MCA Office will be notified immediately, who will contact the Lexington Public Health Department, per instructions for further direction (as many situations are very unique and might require an individualized solution).   Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is expected to be in contact with their healthcare provider, and to quarantine according to CDC guidelines.

A student, staff, or tenant has been exposed to COVID-19

If this situation occurs, the MCA Office will be notified immediately, who will contact the Lexington Public Health Department, per instructions for further direction (as many situations are very unique and might require an individualized solution).  The individual affected should quarantine.

Current CDC guidance for anyone who has had close contact (< 6 feet for ≥15 minutes) with someone having known or suspected COVID-19 is for that person to: 
  • Stay home until 14 days after last exposure and maintain social distance (at least 6 feet) from others at all times
  • Self-monitor for symptoms
  • Check temperature twice a day
  • Watch for fever (100.4ºF), cough, or shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19
  • Avoid contact with people at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19
  • Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop

​HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF & OTHERS 
When we say “we are all in this together”, this means that it is everyone’s responsibility to know how to help reduce the spread of infection.  We ask that everyone coming to the Munroe Center for the Arts be aware of the following CDC Guidelines:

Know how it spreads
  • There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
  • The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
  • The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
  • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
  • These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
  • Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

Wash your hands often
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
  • You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
  • Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
  • Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
  • The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
  • Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
  • Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

Cover coughs and sneezes
  • If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
  • Throw used tissues in the trash.
  • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Monitor Your Health
  • Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19. 
  • Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.
  • Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
  • Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.
  • Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

When to seek emergency medical attention:
  • Look for emergency warning signs* for Covid-19.  If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face
   *This list is not all possible symptoms.  Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

If calling 911 or calling ahead to your local emergency facility due to symptoms:  Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have Covid-19.