September 11, 2020
Those of us in the live performance sector are currently working hard to keep our communities safe and adhere to government regulations while continuing to connect our communities with the performing arts.
With these goals in mind, Ontario Presents recently joined with Réseau Ontario and six other service organizations to submit recommendations regarding Stage 3 reopening regulations for the live performing arts to the Government of Ontario. We have recommended that the Government consider:
- Allowing performing arts venues an allowance of at least 30% capacity (with physical distancing).
- Requiring plexiglass between singers/wind musicians and audiences only if adequate physical distancing cannot be maintained.
- Working with Public Health Ontario and professionals from the air filtration and live performing arts industries to establish air filtration guidelines for performing arts spaces.
You can read our joint letter in full here (version française ici).
If you agree with these recommendations and would like to make your voice heard, we have drafted a template letter (available here) that all are welcome to use and adapt. We encourage you to add your own details to this letter and to submit it to the Minister of Finance, your local M.P.P., the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, and Culture Critic Jill Andrew.
Please feel free to reach out to info@ontariopresents.ca with any questions.