Covid Policy

Per the K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year (Aug. 10, 2021) document, in-person rehearsals will follow these requirements:

1. We will seat students at least 3 feet apart, and more if space permits. Requirements for eating during breaks is specified in the Breaks section.
2. We will follow universal masking requirements for all students and staff. More specifics will outlined below in the Face Coverings & Instrument Covers section.
3. We will open windows and doors, when possible, to promote air change.
4. We will encourage hand-washing and have hand sanitizers available.
5. We will clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (e.g. door knobs, chairs)
6. We will conduct contact tracing, if we find someone infected with COVID-19.
7. We will meet the reporting requirements to public health.

The K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year (Aug. 10, 2021) document states:

“Vaccination is the most effective prevention strategy available for allowing schools to resume full-time in-person instruction. COVID-19 vaccines are available to all people age 12 and older.”

Governor Inslee announced vaccine requirements for employees working in K-12, most childcare and early learning, and higher education on Aug. 18, 2021 in his Proclamation 21-14 (Vaccination Requirement). The requirement includes contractors, volunteers, and other positions that work in these settings (WA DOH COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ webpage and COVID-19 vaccination requirement for K-12 school employees: frequently asked questions (PDF) (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction).

Given the above, BYSO will require the following:

For BYSO Music Staff, Administrative Staff, and Parent Volunteers

BYSO will require Covid-19 vaccinations for all BYSO music staff, administrative staff and parent volunteers and will require proof of vaccination. For those needing exemptions, we refer to the “Exemptions from Vaccine Requirement” section of Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 (Vaccination Requirement).

For Participating BYSO Students

• BYSO strongly encourages but does not require the Covid-19 vaccination for students to participate in our programs.
• However, if your participating student is vaccinated, please plan to provide vaccination status of your student on the BYSO COVID Liability Waiver and Vaccination Status Form.

How To Properly Wear the Required Mask

BYSO will follow the guidance by the Secretary of Health Mask Order 20-03.4 (Aug. 19, 2021), which states that a face covering must:

• Fit snugly against the sides of the face
• Completely cover the nose and mouth
• Be secured with ties, ear loops, elastic bands, or other equally effective method

Type of Masks Required, When/How to Use Them, and Other Best Practices

Per the Performing Arts section of the K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year (Aug. 10, 2021) document, BYSO requires the following:

• Universal masking with appropriate material – MERV13 or 3-layer medical face mask or similar material – is required by all students and staff in performing arts classes and while participating in performing arts activities. Masking with MERV13 or 3-layer medical face mask or similar material is the best way of reducing aerosols from circulating in indoor spaces.
• Aerosol-producing musicians, e.g., singers, woodwinds and brass, speech/debate, and theater performers are required to wear appropriate masks/face coverings and/or use appropriate bell covers while performing. Split mask face coverings/masks are required.
• Bell covers with appropriate material – MERV 13 or 3-layer medical face mask or similar material – are required for brass and woodwind instruments when indoors. Bell covers are recommended when playing outdoors but not required.
• Practice good hygiene collecting water condensation from brass instruments. Consider using “puppy pads” for students to empty spit valves rather than emptying directly on the floor.

Supply Your Own Masks

We ask that you supply your own masks to all BYSO events, including but not limited to rehearsals, retreats, concerts, etc. Please view the requirements in the Type of masks required section above.

Per the Performing Arts section of the K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year (Aug. 10, 2021) document, “distancing should be at least 3 feet, if possible, and more if space permits.” Requirements for eating during break is specified in the breaks section below.

BYSO rehearsals typically have one 10-minute break period. During this time, students may eat snacks that they’ve brought themselves outside of the rehearsal rooms. Students may bring water in covered containers. They can drink the water while in the rehearsal room and re-mask right away. If the students are masked, they should be at least 3 feet apart, and if they are unmasked, such as while eating their snacks, they should be at least 6 feet from each other.

BYSO is currently hoping to have culminating concerts. We will monitor the COVID-19 status in King County and will evaluate whether we can move forward or not per the health guidelines, closer to the date. If we are able to move forward with the concerts, we will follow the guidelines in the Performance section of the K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year (Aug. 10, 2021) document:

• For performances, audience members should be seated in “family units” and those small groups should be spaced at least 3 feet apart. All audience members must wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status.
• Universal masking is required during performances for participants, including appropriate face coverings and bell covers on woodwind and brass instruments.

We ask that all participants in the BYSO program, including but not limited to students, staff, and volunteers, adhere to the requirements specified in this BYSO COVID-19 Policies & Procedures document so that we can maintain a safe and healthy environment. A lack of adherence may result in immediate dismissal from rehearsals that day. Repeated lack of adherence may result in removal from participation in all BYSO programs.

All participants will be asked to sign the BYSO Coronavirus/COVID-19 Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement and Vaccination Status Form in order to participate in the in-person rehearsals.

We currently are not requiring vaccinations for our students, but we do need to know everyone’s vaccination status. This will allow us quickly to notify students who might be exposed.

BYSO will follow the guidance specified in the Responding to Cases or Suspected Cases of COVID-19 section of the K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year (Aug. 10, 2021) document regarding the following situations:

• When someone develops symptoms of Covid-19 while at a BYSO event
• Returning to In-Person Rehearsal After Testing Positive For Covid-19
• Returning to In-Person Rehearsal After Someone is in Close Contact with Someone with Covid-19

BYSO will follow the guidance specified the “Reporting Cases and Outbreaks and Working with Public Health” section of the K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year (Aug. 10, 2021) document.