As of April 1st, 2022 masks will be optional for everyone at the Institute of Contemporary Dance. We have surveyed our parents, teachers, students and staff members and feel like this is the best option at this time. Feel free to still wear a mask if you would like but it is no longer mandatory. We will continue to keep watching the Harris County Threat levels and adhering to the CDC guidelines as well as local hospital recommendations. If the threat levels get high, we will review and revise our masking requirements.
Below are the Institute of Contemporary Dance’s policies and procedures during COVID-19 pandemic. We have formed these specific guidelines from the Dance/USA Task Force for Dancer Health report and the National Endowment of the Arts that you respect them while in our studio.
Masks are optional in the space.
Remove your shoes when entering the studio.
Please place your bag and water on the benches provided.
If you need to use the restroom, please put your shoes on.
When returning to the classroom, please remove your shoes before stepping on the floor.
When the Institute is informed that an individual who has been at the studio has tested positive for COVID-19, the Institute will identify anyone who might have been exposed to the infected individual while at the Institute for long enough to have put them at risk of infection. Should an individual feel ill while at the Institute, the individual will be isolated until they can be safely exited from the studio. Should that individual test positive for COVID-19, the above contact tracing protocol will be deployed.
Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 will be required immediately to self-isolate for an amount of time prescribed by the Department of Health or their physician, currently at 10 days. These individuals can not return to the space until we have a negative PCR or RAPID test emailed to info@icdhouston.com. Close contacts to the infected individual will be directed to quarantine themselves to prevent further spread.
Communication is paramount in order to achieve the best results for keeping the Institute community as safe as possible.
Mask and Face-covering Options:
UnderArmor, BUFF and Athleta
Latest articles on wearing face masks while exercising:
https://blogs.bmj.com/bjsm/2020/06/12/should-people-wear-a-face-mask-during-exercise-what-should-clinicians-advise/
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/17/well/move/exercising-while-wearing-a-mask.html
https://about.underarmour.com/news/2020/06/expert-advice-wearing-face-mask-while-working-out
https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/08/07/sciadv.abd3083
The Institute of Contemporary Dance is open at 100% capacity for in studio dancing while continuing our online virtual classes. There is nothing more important to us than remaining healthy for the safety of our community and we do not take this pandemic lightly. Every staff member, volunteer, and patron has a voice and we plan to continue to implement increased health and safety measures. We are open to feedback and ideas to ensure increased safety. If you have concerns or questions, please contact President and CEO, Marlana Doyle at, marlana@icdhouston.com