DANIEL P. McCOY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH MARIBETH MILLER, BSN, MS County Executive Assistant Commissioner for Public Health COUNTY OF ALBANY

175 GREEN STREET ELIZABETH F. WHALEN, MD, MPH ALBANY, NEW YORK 12202 SHANNA F. WITHERSPOON, MPA Commissioner of Health Assistant Commissioner Finance and Administration The Dr. John J.A. Lyons ALBANY COUNTY HEALTH FACILITY (518) 447-4580 FAX (518) 447-4698

www.albanycounty.com

Guidance for Small and Medium Scale Performing Arts & Entertainment during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (April 2021)

Attached for your information is summary guidance provided for owners/operators of small and medium scale performing arts and entertainment venues, hereby defined as all ticketed and non- ticketed, seated and standing audience at performances and live entertainment events held in public or private venues with an indoor capacity of less than 1,500 attendees and/ or outdoor capacity of less than 2,500 attendees. Please note that these guidelines are minimum requirements only, and any venue is free to provide additional precautions or increased restrictions. “Performing arts and entertainment” encompasses all activities undertaken in the preparation, production, practice and presentation of in- person performance and live entertainment including but not limited to music, dance, opera, drama, comedy and other theatre or audio and/or visual arts performed before a live audience (e.g., plays, musicals, concerts, lectures, speeches).

 Occupancy – venues may reopen at 33% capacity, with up to 100 attendees indoors and up to 200 attendees outdoors exclusive of employees talent/performers, contractors, and vendors. If all attendees present proof of a recent negative COVID-19 diagnostic test result or proof of complete immunization prior to entry, occupancy may increase to up to 150 attendees indoors and up to 500 attendees outdoors. Irrespective of capacity, social distancing and face coverings will be required by all attendees, as well as strict adherence to the requirements contained within this guidance.

 Effective April 6, 2021, small and medium scale performing arts and entertainment venues must notify their respective county health department or local public health authority if they plan to host in-person performances or events above the State’s maximum social gathering limit, which is 100 people indoors and 200 people outdoors, as of April 1, 2021.

 The venue must notify the Albany County Department of Health at least 5 days in advance of the date of the event using the fillable form Albany County information request form for large gatherings. The form can be submitted via email to [email protected], or mailed to Division of Environmental Health 175 Green Street, Albany, New York 12202.

Information Request for Small and Medium Scale Performing Albany County, NY Page 1 of 3 Arts & Entertainment Venues during the COVID-19 Health Emergency

 This notification must occur at least 5 days in advance of the date of the event. Information to be provided includes: o Name of the facility o Name and contact information of the venue owner / operator o Event name o Description of the event o Event address o Event date and time o Estimated event duration (including loading and unloading times) o Expected number of attendees or patrons o Expected number of event staff inclusive of employees, venue personnel, talent/performers, contractors, and vendors o Location of premises (e.g. indoor, outdoor) and a floor plan o Seating capacity of the venue o If they have a health permit and who issued the health permit

 The venue must maintain a log of every person, including performers/talent and employees who may have close or proximate contact with other individuals at the venue. The log should contain contact information, such that all contacts may be identified, traced, and notified in the event an individual is diagnosed with COVID-19.

 Screening and Testing o Venues must require and ensure that all patrons, over the age of two, have received a negative diagnostic test result for COVID-19 using a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or DOH authorized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or other nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) of comparable analytical sensitivity performance that was performed on a specimen (e.g., swab) collected within 72 hours of the performance/event start time. Venues may also accept negative test results for COVID-19 from an FDA authorized antigen test performed on a specimen collected within 6 hours of the performance/event start time. . All patrons must present proof of the negative diagnostic test result (e.g., mobile application, paper form) to designated employees prior to, or immediately upon, arrival to the performance/event. . As an alternative to the testing requirement, patrons may provide proof of having completed the COVID-19 vaccination series at least 14 days prior to the date of the performance/event.

 Health Screening- all attendees, employees and event staff much be screened prior to any in- person performing arts and entertainment activities (including rehearsals and performances/events) for COVID-19 symptoms and include: o Temperature not above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit o No close or proximate contact with confirmed or suspected COVID -19 cases o No recent positive COVID-19 test results o Compliance with New York State travel advisory

Information Request for Small and Medium Scale Performing Albany County, NY Page 2 of 3 Arts & Entertainment Venues during the COVID-19 Health Emergency

 Protective Equipment – Venue must ensure that all individuals, including employees, performers/talent, and patrons, wear acceptable face coverings at all times when within the venue, except as otherwise authorized within this guidance (e.g., patrons temporarily eating or drinking while seated and socially distanced from individuals who are not members of their same party/household/family, performers/talent conducting core activities/performing).

 Distancing o Venues must ensure that a distance of at least six feet is maintained between all employees and performers/talent at all times in event and production locations (e.g., common areas, holding areas, equipment areas), unless safety or the core activity requires a shorter distance. o Venues must ensure that a distance of at least 12 feet is maintained, or that an appropriate physical barrier is installed, between performers/talent and any patrons in the audience. o Venues must ensure that a distance of at least six feet is maintained between patrons at all times, with the exception of individuals who are members of the same party/household/family.

Information Request for Small and Medium Scale Performing Albany County, NY Page 3 of 3 Arts & Entertainment Venues during the COVID-19 Health Emergency