COVID-19 Safety Plan Guidelines ICNY

Dear students, members and friends of Instituto Cervantes New York:

I hope this finds you well. Things seem to be looking up a bit, and although we are still closed to the general public, we have come to the decision that it is safe to start little by little carrying out some in-person activities, with safety measures in place for everyone's health. These are the following by area:

1. Academic Department: a. Scheduled course textbook pick-up. st. b. Language assessment: DELE and SIELE exams since September 21 . c. Cultural and constitutional knowledge of Spain test (to obtain Spanish nationality): CCSE 2. Cultural Department: a. Wine tasting courses at our Exhibition Gallery, which is a big and very well- ventilated space and allows us to comply with all the safe-distancing regulations established due to COVID-19. 3. Library: a. Scheduled library book return.

Your health and safety are our top priorities. Please rest assured that Instituto Cervantes is following guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), New York State, and New York City for increased health and safety procedures and will continue to monitor and abide by federal, state, and city guidelines to inform our operations.

We look forward to welcoming you to Instituto Cervantes, where centuries of language, culture and history of the Spanish speaking world can be experienced through our library, classes and cultural activities. A review of Instituto Cervantes safety guidelines and regulations below for students, members and friends can help keep everybody safe and healthy.

Please note that by visiting Instituto Cervantes, you agree to abide by these policies. Instituto Cervantes reserves the right to ask visitors who do not follow these guidelines to leave the Institute’s premises.

Important Safety Guidelines

 Entry to Instituto Cervantes is by appointment or reservation only and capacity is limited. Visitor capacity is controlled and reduced; access to all sections is not guaranteed.  Students and Members should make an appointment in advance to visit Instituto Cervantes either by phone: 212-308-7720 or email: [email protected] (textbook pick-up) or [email protected] (library borrowing or returns).  For the benefit of all, visitors are required to have their temperatures checked by our receptionist prior to entering the building as well as answer a health questionnaire related to COVID-19. If you receive a reading of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, we will ask you to visit another day.  We will ask you to fill out your contact information in our visitor’s log in order to carry out trace-and-contact procedures in the unlikely event of a COVID-19 outbreak.  At the entrance you will be required to use the touch- less hand disinfectant dispenser. COVID-19 Safety Plan Guidelines ICNY

 Please stay home if you are feeling sick. For more information about COVID-19, check the CDC website (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html)  Travelers/staff members arriving from countries or states designated by New York State as having significant COVID-19 community transmission, are required to quarantine for fourteen days upon entering New York and may not visit Instituto Cervantes during this period.  Face masks are required for all visitors, students and members over the age of two. You will not be permitted inside the Institute without a face mask. Additionally, face masks must be worn for the duration of your visit. CDC guidelines advise that face masks should: o Reach above the nose, below the chin, and completely cover the mouth and nose o Fit snugly against the sides of the face  Physical distancing is required; visitors should stay at least six feet (about two arms' length) from others and from groups.  Follow the physical-distancing markers throughout the Institute.  Help prevent the spread of germs by washing your hands often with soap and water for at least twenty seconds and by not touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Hand sanitizer is also available at entrances and at stations throughout the Institute.  Please cover your cough while in the building.  All restrooms have occupancy limits and some restrooms may not be open at the time of your visit. For more information, check with Instituto Cervantes’ staff when you are in the building.  Instituto Cervantes is ensuring that its ventilation systems are working properly, including monitoring filtration and humidification, and we have switched to MERV13 filters that are recommended by the authorities for COVID19.  An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public space where people are present. We cannot guarantee that you will not be exposed to COVID-19 during your visit to Instituto Cervantes. Those visiting Instituto Cervantes do so at their own risk of such exposure.  Please follow the instructions of Instituto Cervantes’ staff.

If you are unable to visit us in person, you can find more information in our webpage (nyork.cervantes.es) on the wide range of virtual resources, activities, and programs you can enjoy from home.

We will be here to welcome you when you are able to return.

Richard Bueno Hudson, Ph. D. Executive Director