Executive Summary

The Management of The Linda: WAMCs Performing Arts Studio (here forward referred to as The Linda) and WAMC: Northeast Public Radio (here forward referred to as WAMC) have developed the plan contained herein for the purpose of safely and effectively reopening The Linda in 2021.

 It is the intention of WAMC to begin re-opening The Linda to public performances in June, 2021.

In developing this plan, WAMC has reviewed and implemented recommendations and regulations suggested or required by the Center for Disease Control & Prevention, the New York State Department of Health and other agencies.

This is a living document and is subject to change based on updates to federal, state, county and municipal regulations and recommendations.

AS of 6/16/22 
Mask wearing is OPTIONAL 

As of 5/5/2022
Mask wearing is REQUIRED for all patrons, guests, staff and artists while not eating, drinking or performing. There are no exceptions.

As of April 6, 2022
Vaccination proof is no longer a requirement for admission. 

 

As of February 28, 2022. 
As per the current CDC Guidance, mask-wearing within The Linda is optional. Proof of vaccination is still required with valid ID for admission. A verified negative Covid test within 72 hours of admission with valid ID may be substituted for vaccination proof.

As of August 16, 2021 to best safeguard, the well-being of the staff, artists, and all guests, The Linda: WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio will require proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with valid Identifiation. This policy applies to all guests, staff, and artists ages 12 and older beginning  Monday, August 16. All parties will be required to show proof of vaccination either through a valid and completed vaccination card or by showing compliance through the NYS Excelsior Pass.

This safety measure is in addition to the mask policy that was implemented in the previous week.  All patrons, artists, and staff must wear properly fitted face masks when not eating, drinking, or performing.

Patrons already ticketed who cannot prove that they are fully vaccinated will be refunded.

As of August 2, 2021. All patrons reguarless of vaccination status will be required to wear mask unless actively eating or drinking. All staff will be wearing masks.

As of June 15, 2021 all entertainment restrictions have been removed in New York State. The Linda will open at full capacity without social distancing.  Cleaning protocols will remain in place. 

This document shall be made available publicly on The Linda website (thelinda.org) and shall be filed with all appropriate agencies.

The Linda, since the shutdown of the performing arts industry in 2020, has successfully and safely produced Live Virtual Concerts for online streaming. These broadcasts have been completed without any health and safety incident, in strict adherence to all public health recommendations and local regulations. The Management of WAMC and The Linda are confident that, with strict adherence to the plan contained herein, our venue can be reopened to the public for live performances in a safe manner, without creating additional risk for the spread of Covid-19 amongst our audiences, staff, volunteers, subcontractors and artists.

Staff & Volunteer Safety

Non-vaccinated staff are required to wear masks at all times while on the venue premises, except when eating or drinking. This includes front-of-house staff, volunteers, security, subcontractors and all production technicians. Vaccinated staff may go mask-less if they choose but are encouraged to wear a mask if they are more comfortable wearing one. While staff are encouraged to wear CDC-recommended masks or face coverings of their choosing and preference, The Linda will maintain a robust supply of surgical masks to ensure that masking will not present any additional cost to staff or volunteers.

All staff and volunteers should maintain a social distancing of at least six feet whenever and wherever possible while on the venue premises.

All staff and volunteers are required to wash, dry and sanitize their hands at the beginning of each shift, and are encouraged to regularly wash hands throughout their workday.

The Linda shall ensure an ample supply of hand sanitizers and antibacterial soap is maintained at all company locations.

The Linda encourages all staff, volunteers and subcontractors to receive the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines that have been granted an Emergency Use Authorization by the United States Food & Drug Administration.

Should any employee, volunteer or subcontractor feel ill prior to a shift, including running a fever or exhibiting any symptoms related to COVID-19, they are required to alert their supervisor or the General Manager immediately and not report to their shift.

All employees, volunteers and subcontractors should read all subsequent sections of this plan and be prepared to assist management in ensuring compliance by anyone on the venue premises. Our staff and volunteers are our first line of defense in ensuring that this plan is strictly adhered to for the health and safety of our community.

The General Manager of The Linda shall serve as the designated Compliance Officer for all staff, volunteers and subcontractors. Any questions or concerns should be reported to the GM directly or through the appropriate supervisor.

Artist & Creative Staff Safety

The term “artists” shall refer to all performers, speakers, panelists, musicians, or actors who are part of the presentation that the event is ticketed for and the term “creative staff” shall refer to directors, designers, technicians, stage managers and all those whose work on productions puts them in direct contact with others at our venues.

The Technical Director is appointed as a Compliance Officer for all artists and creative staff.

No artist or creative team member is permitted to perform or work unmasked unless they have either: 1) received a negative test for COVID-19 and maintained a self-quarantine since the time of said test, or 2) received the full dose of any COVID-19 vaccine, and completed the specific vaccine’s required waiting period for inoculation.

No makeup, personal effects or hygiene products shall be shared among artists or creative staff.

Audience Safety

All audience members will be asked about their vaccination status upon admission to the venue. Fully vaccinated guests may remain unmasked. Unvaccinated guests will be required to wear masks or appropriate face coverings at all times, except when eating/drinking while seated. The Linda staff and volunteers will carry a supply of disposable masks for the convenience of patrons.

Audiences shall be seated, in grouped pods of two in accordance with social distancing guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. A minimum six-foot radius shall be maintained between each pod’s seating area.

 The Linda shall adhere to all capacity guidelines as regulated by the New York State Department of Health, as well as regulations that may be implemented by our county or municipal officials. The Linda shall not exceed 60 persons. This value will be changed in accordance with updates to recommendations and regulations from the appropriate, accredited health agencies.

Under no circumstances shall two different groups be seated within the same pod.

All patrons will be required to have a ticket and will be required to stay in their assigned seat except when travelling to/from restrooms, box office or concessions.

Reservations are encouraged for all events. Walk-up purchases will be permitted depending on capacity at the time of the event. Walk-up patrons will only be allowed at 15 minutes prior to the event to allow reservations to be seated first. Whenever possible, a separate socially distanced walk-up line will be established. All walk-up patrons will be queried on their vaccination status. If unvaccinated, the patron will be encouraged to remain seated and masked at all times other that using the rest room or approaching concessions.

Wherever possible, measures will be taken to decrease tactile interactions between patrons and staff/volunteers. This includes all tickets being delivered and scanned digitally.

Social distance markers will be used across all audience-facing areas, including box office, restroom and concession lines.

Hand sanitizing stations will be made available at the box office, concession areas and restrooms. Staff and volunteers will also carry additional hand sanitizer to distribute as needed.

Physical Plant Measures

At The Linda, seats are laid out in accordance with an established seating map, which respects the social distancing guidelines. At no time will seats be allowed to be moved.

As stated previously, hand sanitizing stations will be prominently placed at all box office, restroom and concession locations. Additional hand sanitizing will also be made available throughout the venue.

Additional janitorial resources will be committed to events for the duration of the pandemic. Surfaces throughout the venue will be disinfected before and after each event.

Wherever possible, spaces will be aired out by opening windows and running HVAC fans at a high-capacity level in between performances.

Box Office Protocols

Ticketing staff will be located behind glass or Plexiglas partitions while at their stations.

As noted previously, across all events and venues, reservations will be encouraged no later than two hours prior to the opening of doors or commencement of seating at the venue. Walk-up sales may be allowed at an event 15 minutes prior to show time.

Reservations will be available on-line. The Linda staff will assign seating to an appropriate pod upon admittance to the venue.

Upon confirmation of a reservation The Linda will remit to patrons by email a digital ticket that they can either display on a smartphone or tablet, or print at home and show to the box office for admission.

Tickets will be scanned by staff, whether they are displayed on an electronic device or printed by the patron at home. No tickets will be ripped for counting.

Care will be taken to wipe down box office counters with disinfectant regularly.

Concession Protocols

All concession staff, regardless of whether or not they are interacting directly with the public, will be required to wear gloves at all times.

Concessions will add a credit card swiping option to encourage patrons to pay cashless. Cash will still be a payment option.

During high traffic times, staff and volunteers will be on site to ensure effective social distancing in concession lines.

Audiences will be required to return to their seats prior to consuming any food or beverages.

All concession countertops will be disinfected regularly.

Additional trash and recycling receptacles will be placed throughout our venues to avoid congestion during egress from events.

Enforcement

The Linda firmly believes that the first step in any public health measure is effective communication. We will make every effort to ensure that employees and patrons are aware of the rules and regulations contained herein.

All staff, sub-contractors, volunteers, artists and creative staff will be provided a digital and hard copy of this plan for their review. All must sign an acknowledgement of their understanding and willingness to adhere to this plan.

This plan shall be posted publicly on The Linda website.

Upon confirmation of a reservation, along with their digital tickets, The Linda will send patrons an overview of the major, pertinent regulations by email for their review. This email will include a direct hyperlink to this plan on our websites.

Major rules and regulations will be posted prominently at The Linda. Additionally, copies of this plan will be available for patrons upon request.

Major rules and regulations will also be read over our PA system or from the stage pre-show to reinforce the regulations to the general public.

Any patron who willingly and repeatedly disregards or disobeys these regulations will be removed from the venue. In the unlikely event that it is necessary, local law enforcement will be called to assist with any situations that require it.