20 October 2020 11:52

Emergency Orders Amended for Ontario Dance Schools

The Ontario government has heard the dance community and will now allow dance studios to remain open during Modified Stage 2. The confirmation came in a tweet by Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport late Monday afternoon.

Just prior to the Thanksgiving weekend, the Ontario government grouped dance studios in with fitness centres and gyms as businesses that needed to shutdown for 28 days in response to rising COVID case numbers in specific areas of the province.

In response to cabinet making the amendments to allow studios to remain open in Ottawa, Toronto, Peel and York regions, Clarke MacIntosh, RAD Canada’s National Director said, “It’s a relief to finally get the clarification and recognition that we as a dance community needed – there is a fundamental difference between a dance training class and a fitness class, even though both may take place in a studio!”

Dance classes may only be provided if:

i. they are delivered for the purpose of teaching or training amateur or professional dancers in dance techniques,

ii. all participants are pre-registered for the classes and no walk-ins are permitted, and

iii. the other conditions set out in this subsection are complied with.

Dance competitions must not be provided.
Any areas containing weights or exercise machines must be closed.
The total number of members of the public permitted to be at the facility in a class, organized program or organized activity at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from other persons at the facility, and in any event cannot exceed 10 people.
Each class, organized program or organized activity must take place in a separate room.
No spectators are permitted.
Any person who enters or uses the facility must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from any other person who is using the facility.
Team sports must not be practised or played within the facility, with the exception of training sessions for members of a sports team that do not include games or scrimmage games.
Activities that are likely to result in individuals coming within two metres of each other must not be practised or played within the facility.
Subject to subsection 19 (2), any locker rooms, change rooms, showers and clubhouses in the facility must be closed, except to the extent they provide access to equipment storage, a washroom or a portion of the facility that is used to provide first aid.
Any equipment that is rented to, provided to or provided for the use of users of the facility must be cleaned and disinfected between each use.
Activities that require the use of equipment or fixed structures that cannot be cleaned and disinfected between each use must not be practised or played within the facility.
Activities that require the use of equipment or fixed structures that cannot be cleaned and disinfected between each use must not be practised or played within the facility.

In addition, dance studios must continue to follow all other applicable public health measures (e.g. hand hygiene, mask use) as outlined in the province's COVID-19 and workplace health and safety website, Guide to developing a COVID-19 workplace safety plan and any other sector-specific guidance.

Rules for Areas in Stage 2 – Ontario Regulation 263/20

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