Below are detailed procedures that will remain in place through December 31, 2021, at which time they will be reevaluated and updated as necessary, based on the current public health situation. These procedures are mandatory and must be followed at all times. Procedures are based on Texas Health & Human Services, Texas Education Agency, and CDC guidelines and may change based on updated recommendations. Updates regarding any changes to protocols will be posted here.
**All Covid-19 Procedures are optional for students, staff members, and other guests. Health & temperature screenings will still be required for all students and staff members.
TEMPERATURE & HEALTH SCREENINGS
SCREENING QUESTIONS
HYGIENE & SANITATION
IN-CLASS & REHEARSAL CONSIDERATIONS
MEAL-TIME CONSIDERATIONS (IF APPLICABLE)
PERFORMANCE CONSIDERATIONS
**All Covid-19 Procedures are optional for students, staff members, and other guests. Health & temperature screenings will still be required for all students and staff members.
TEMPERATURE & HEALTH SCREENINGS
- In order to ensure the health and safety of all, staff members and students will be required to complete and submit a COVID-19 self-screening before arriving at any PMT Productions or PMT YAS! facility. Screening questions will be completed via an online form found at pitchmethis.com/screening and should be submitted at least 30 minutes before each rehearsal or class begins to allow sufficient time for PMT staff members to review the submissions.
- All staff members and students will undergo a temperature screening before entering any PMT Productions or PMT YAS! facility. Temperature screenings will be conducted by a designated PMT Productions staff member using a contactless thermometer. Temperature screenings will be tracked by writing temperature of each student on the attendance roster.
- Parents and siblings will be allowed to enter the building during drop-off and pick-up times but must follow all protocols listed below, including masking, social distancing, and temperature screening.
SCREENING QUESTIONS
- In the last 2 weeks, have you or anyone in your household (for students: including siblings, nanny, caregiver) had a Covid-positive infection? If you tested positive, you will not be allowed to enter the facility and may only return after two consecutive negative Covid-19 tests (PCR only) OR 10 days after the first positive Covid-19 test, if asymptomatic. If symptomatic, you must also be symptom-free for 3 days before returning. If someone in your household tested positive, you will not be allowed to enter the facility and may only return 10 days after their first positive Covid-19 test AND after a negative Covid-19 test for yourself (PCR only).
- In the last week, have you (your students) experienced any of the following symptoms?
- Coughing, not related to allergies or asthma
- Loss of taste or smell
- Fever great than 100.4 F in the last 24 hours
- Sore throat
- Nasal congestion, not related to allergies
- Unusual shortness of breath
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Muscle pain, not associated with recent strenuous exercise
- If two (2) more of these symptoms have been experienced, you will not be allowed to enter the facility and may only return after two consecutive negative Covid-19 tests (PCR only) OR 10 days after the onset of symptoms—and at the discretion of the PMT Admin Team. Students may also return with a note following a doctor’s visit.
- If a Covid-positive infection is confirmed within the cast, and if exposure occurs during rehearsal or class time, all parents will be notified immediately via email. Staff members and students may only return to rehearsal or class after receiving a negative Covid-19 test (PCR only).
HYGIENE & SANITATION
- Students should be encouraged to sneeze or cough into a tissue and dispose of the tissue immediately. Alternatively, students can cough or sneeze into their elbow. Tissue paper will be provided and disposed of immediately after use.
- Students should be discouraged from touching their face with unwashed hands. Hand sanitizer will be provided to each student upon entering and leaving the facility and will be available in every room for as-needed use.
- Staff members and students are discouraged from shaking hands, hugging, or coming in close contact with each other or the students.
- Before students arrive, staff members will be required to sanitize all surfaces in their classrooms, including chairs, countertops, door handles, and any other surface or object that is frequently touched by students or staff members. Cleaning products will be provided by PMT Productions.
IN-CLASS & REHEARSAL CONSIDERATIONS
- Staff members and students will be required to sanitize their hands before each class.
- Whenever possible, staff members will be required to practice physical distancing from students and other staff members.
- Staff members will be required to wear a cloth face mask or other protective covering throughout all classes. They should be worn so that they cover the person's mouth and nose completely.
- All students will be required to wear a cloth face mask or other protective covering throughout the rehearsal process. Masks will also be required when entering and exiting the building, when moving between classrooms, and during times when physical distancing is impossible. They should be worn so that they cover the person's mouth and nose completely. Masks may only be removed when performing on stage and at the discretion of the PMT Admin Team during certain rehearsal and class activities. Parents will be notified in advance when mask-less rehearsals and activities are scheduled. If a student forgets their mask or needs a replacement, PMT will provide a disposable mask.
- Whenever possible, students will be required to practice physical distancing. If using chairs, they should be separated by at least six (6) feet. If working at tables, each student should have their own table with sufficient space between tables.
- Students may not share any materials, including pencils, highlighters, and craft supplies. Each student will be provided with individual materials packets.
- Any student or staff member showing prolonged or repetitive signs of illness will immediately be sent home for the day.
MEAL-TIME CONSIDERATIONS (IF APPLICABLE)
- Before meal or snack times begin, all students will be required to sanitize their hands thoroughly.
- Students should maintain physical distancing while traveling to and from the lunchroom. To ensure distancing is possible, student travel times should be slightly staggered.
- Students may not share any food or drinks with other students.
- Each table will be limited to two students, with students sitting as far apart as possible at the table. For small tables, each student may be required to sit at their own table.
- Staff members should maintain sufficient distancing from students and each other during mealtimes.
PERFORMANCE CONSIDERATIONS
- Students should maintain physical distancing when not on stage. Throughout the performance, students will be seated in a separate area from the audience with at least six (6) feet between their chairs.
- Microphones should be sanitized before being used and between uses.
- Costumes and costume accessories will not be shared between students. Make-up, hairbrushes, and other cosmetic accessories will not be shared between students.
- Staff members will be required to wear a cloth face mask or other protective covering throughout the entire performance, except when speaking on stage to the audience. They should be worn so that they cover the person's mouth and nose completely.
- Audience members will be required to undergo a brief temperature screening before entering the performance space.
- Face masks will be available for all audience members and are required for the duration of the performance, including during intermission and when entering and exiting the building. They should be worn so that they cover the person's mouth and nose completely. Audience members who do not follow mask-wearing protocols will be asked to leave the performance. Interactions between the cast, staff members, and audience members is permitted, as long as physical distancing is maintained.