COVID 19 Health & Safety Policy 

Updated November 2. 2022.
by Trellis Arts & Entertainment Inc. o/a Trellis Arts.

At this time Trellis is providing circus classes and workshops with a limited number of registrants. Screening contracts (as shown below) and waivers will be required before arrival of class session and/or workshop, and a second verbal screening will take place before each and every class. 

Our addition procedures can be found using the following to access our General Studio Polices. 

Operation & Registration 

Trellis Arts & Instruction is open and happy to be running classes and workshops for children and adults. You must pre-register for all class sessions and workshops. We cannot accept drop-in visits at this time.

Coaches of Trellis Arts present in the facilities are required to present their Covid 19 vaccination certificate (minimum 3 doses) AND documentation sent to nicole@trellisarts.ca. Coaches who cannot provide this documentation or who cannot provide a doctor’s note with medical exemption will not be allowed to enter the facility. Students Are NOT required proof of Covid 19 vaccination to participate in Trellis activities at this time, however it is strongly encouraged by Trellis Staff and Peterborough Public Health to keep all participants safe.

Contact Us with any questions or concerns: 

Nicole Malbeuf | 705 977 6307 | nicole@trellisarts.ca


2022 In-Studio Classes: What to Expect 

  • It is strongly encouraged to wear a mask upon entering the facility and studio, when using washrooms facilities and traveling hallways.

  • It is recommended that you wear your mask during class when social distancing cannot be maintained. Please bring multiple masks in case it becomes wet from sweat or heavy breathing.

  • Great efforts will be employed by staff to distance students and activities during class 2+ meters apart.

  • Bring a filled water bottle and keep it with you in the studio. Water fountains are for water bottle refills only - no direct drinking.

  • Frequent hand washing and use of disinfectant is required both upon arrival and departure, before and after eating, and in between changes in activities.


    Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures

  • We encourage parents and guardians drop off students without entering the building, a maximum of 5 minutes early. We will ensure that the instructors are available to direct and greet our students at our studio entrance door. Parents, guardians, friend and family present during drop-off and pick up are allowed to enter the studio, however it is discouraged to stay and socialize.

  • Parents, family and friends are not permitted to stay to observe the class without written permission in email by Director.

  • For performance presentations and showcases, Masks are strongly encouraged during the entire visit.

  • While waiting in the parking lot or front of building for your child or to speak with other families/students, please practice social distancing, wear masks and do NOT block entrance to the building.



    Application of Social Distancing During Classes & Workshops

  • Participants will be assigned their own personal aerial “zone” which is disinfected before and after use whenever possible. In said zones, students are permitted keep their personal belongings such as water bottles and grip aids.

  • Coaches will manage social distancing when participating in floor activities and after all floor exercises where hands touch the floor, students will be required to sanitize their hands.

  • All personal items can be stored against the wall of the studio away from areas of activity in a socially distant manner as directed by instructors.

  • Coaches will minimize dynamic sequences with large movements or combinations that travel across the floor and in the air when social distancing is not possible.

  • No partnering of skills or routines will be practiced at this time. Synchronized routines will be part of the Performance Troupe Program as part of their competitive component, however masks are strongly encouraged during these activities and social distancing will be enforced as often as possible.

    Aerial Equipment

  • Whenever possible, we will ensure that every student (and instructor) has their own aerial equipment to practice on.

  • There will be as little sharing of aerial apparatuses as possible. Due to rigging limitations, there will be some occasions when some aerial apparatuses cannot undergo an extended quarantine period. When aerial equipment cannot be sanitized (because of risk of damage to equipment), time between use will be extended for as long as possible between use and number of users minimized.

  • We have allowed the use of taped aerial hoops to improve the experience of participants even though sanitization of these items becomes more difficult. We have made this decision based on the low risk of transmission of Covid 19 porous surfaces presents (much like on aerial fabrics) compared to non-porous surfaces such as crash mats and props.

  • At this time, students are not allowed to bring and use their own aerial equipment for reasons related to Trellis’ insurance and rigging abilities, unless given written permission by Trellis Director.

    Floor + Physical Therapy Equipment

  • All equipment, props and mats will be sanitized before and after each class.

    Floor Circuits and movement across the floor

  • Circuit stations will be situated least 2 meters apart and will take place on stationary equipment.

  • Students are encouraged to sanitize hands before and after use of station equipment.

  • It is recommended that students remain a safe distances from one another and travel unidirectionally.


    Spotting in Aerial Arts and Acrobatics

  • Trellis instructors will wear a mask as often as possible and when 2 meters cannot be maintained. Students should wear a mask if they know that spotting will be required (new tricks, sequences). Trellis instructors take physical distancing seriously within closed spaces and will therefore use their best judgement when choosing to spot a student. Students will be reminded that new skills and sequences will be limited due to physical distancing measures of COVID 19. We ask that students respect the decisions of coaches, their judgement and instruction as they will be ensuring that students are safe but also learning developmentally-appropriate skills.


    Additional measures taken by Trellis to maintain physical distancing and provide a safe facility:

  • Doors to the studio will remain open to increase air flow. In warmer months, exits door to outdoors will remain open during classes.

  • The space, all equipment and high-touch surfaces are disinfected before and after opening and between each class.

  • Classes will take place 15 minutes apart to allow for sanitization.

  • Any person entering the facility must complete a verbal screening in person with their instructor.

  • Disposable masks will be available in the event a student does not have one. If masks do not fit participants adequately, a disposable mask will be provided and is required to be worn.

  • Sanitization stations are placed throughout the facility. Hand-washing stations available in the building washrooms.

  • If you or your house-hold showcase any Covid 19 symptoms and/or test POSITIVE on a PCR or rapid antigen test, you and your household must self-isolate for the appropriate amount of time based on vaccination status and exhibition of symptoms (see link for reference and resources). As a guideline, participants may return to Trellis classes based information provided directly by local public health that relate to your circumstances. It is HOWEVER encouraged that you stay home until ALL symptoms have ceased and/or have tested negative on a Covid 19 test. If you are unsure of how to interpret your symptoms or how to proceed, please complete the Self-Assessment Screening here:
    https://www.ontario.ca/self-assessment/

  • If you or members of your household have been alerted as a Covid 19 “close contact,” details must be relayed to Nicole Malbeuf before participants attends class. It is encouraged that participants stay home in any and all cases, however Trellis understands the importance of these programs on mental and physical health. In low-risk circumstances such as in-direct close contacts, Masks MUST be worn at all times during class that fall within 10 days of contact.

  • If you have traveled out of the country prior to returning to the studio please ensure you follow self-isolation guidelines based on vaccination status and travel details. See the following link for direction.
    https://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/covidtravel/

  • Please ensure that your seasonal allergies are under control to prevent frequency of sneezing in class. If they are not under control please refrain from entering the studio until you have developed an action plan to reduce allergy symptoms with your doctor.

  • Communication and transparency related to Covid 19 exposures (direct or indirect), and how one is physically feeling is key to keeping everyone protected.


    Protocol for Students Exhibiting Symptoms

  • If a youth student becomes sick during class is exhibiting symptoms of Covid 19, they will be isolated from the group. Family members will be contacted for pick-up. Adults are requested to return home immediately.

  • The sick person will reminded of hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and proper disposal of tissues.

  • All items used by the sick person will be cleaned and disinfected. Items that cannot be cleaned with product will be removed and stored in a sealed container for a minimum of 48 hours.

  • All parents/guardians of youth in said class will be notified of potential threat.


    Administering First Aid

  • Instructors will ensure to sanitize and wear a mask prior to administering first aid. If the person requiring first aid is able, will also sanitize and put on a mask. Trellis staff ensures the safety of each student and adult participating in their programs and will use their best judgement in lieu of COVID 19 to provide the student requiring first aid its best effort to protect everyone’s health and safety. We will ensure parents/guardians or emergency contacts will be notified and an incident report documented.

    AGREEMENT

    Whenever a student participates in class with Trellis Arts they are agreeing to the following:

  1. COVID Self-assessment – Each day, I promise to self-assess and ensure that I do not have any of the following symptoms: fever, runny nose, nasal congestion or sneezing, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, difficulty swallowing, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

  2. Contact – I promise that in the last 14 days I have not I had any “close contact” or been notified as such with anyone who has been self-isolating, has tested positive for Covid 19 or has exhibited any symptoms of the virus. If I have, I have self-isolated based public health guidance.

  3. Travel – I promise that I have not traveled outside of the province of Ontario within the last 14 days.

  4. Symptoms – I promise that if I begin to exhibit symptoms relating to COVID-19, I will not attend class and will notify Trellis’ administrators or instructors as soon as possible.

    I promise that if I HAVE experienced symptoms of Covid 19, if I test positive on a PCR or Rapid Antigen Test, and/or have contracted COVID 19 in the past, that my symptoms have since improved and I have self-isolated based on local public health guidance.

  5. Previous Agreements – I agree that I will continue to be bound by all previous agreements and waivers I have signed with Trellis Arts and will conduct myself in a manner betting on those agreements.