Covid-19 Safety Protocols
Protocols for staff, instructors, and volunteers
Last update: 9/28/2022
Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for the CAFAC community of staff, instructors, artists, and learners. Like everyone, we monitor vaccination, infection, and hospitalization rates, and make adjustments to our protocols based on guidelines set by the MN Department of Health.
In accordance with MN Department of Health guidelines, this is the approach we are taking for positive diagnoses and/or exposures for anyone in the CAFAC community (students, staff, volunteers):
If you test positive for Covid, remain away from CAFAC activities for 5 days from the onset of your symptoms or diagnosis, and until you are no longer experiencing symptoms without the assistance of medication.
If you had close contact with someone diagnosed with Covid and weren’t wearing a mask, get tested 5-7 days after the date of exposure. If you are fully vaccinated and boosted and don’t have symptoms, you may return to CAFAC while you await your test result but you must wear a well-fitting mask.
If you were exposed and were fully masked, no break from CAFAC activities is required. A Covid test 5-7 days after date of exposure is suggested.
Face masks are not required inside CAFAC’s building for anyone fully vaccinated and boosted. Masks are always welcome and supported for anyone who feels safest wearing one. Some instructors may request that students wear masks because of personal health considerations. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us keep our community healthy.
We are continuing to follow some protocols that we put in place earlier in the pandemic, including:
General Health and Safety Protocols
If you’re diagnosed with Covid-19, please contact us by email or phone (612-294-0400) as soon as possible so that we can determine contact tracing needs.
If you’re experiencing Covid symptoms or have a low-grade fever (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher), please stay home and follow testing recommendations.
Hand-washing is still highly recommended to prevent transmission. Hand sanitizer is available at multiple locations throughout the shop.
Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow sleeve or a tissue when coughing or sneezing and avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes with your hands.
Shop doors will be open and fans on whenever possible to facilitate air flow.
The gallery/office area is a smaller space. Please be cognizant of how many others are in the space before entering.
Hydrogen peroxide-based sanitizer in spray bottles is available in multiple locations should you wish to wipe down tools or equipment.
Protocols for Adult Classes
In addition to the General Health and Safety Protocols above:
You will be asked to check-in on an attendance roster for every class session, in the event that contact tracing is necessary.
Though we always have PPE available in the shop, we ask that you provide their own safety glasses and work gloves. Both of these items can be purchased at any hardware store. If you do need to use any of CAFAC’s PPE, please sanitize it the end of class.
Due to its small size, the classroom is limited to 6 people at a time.
Protocols for Youth Camps
In addition to the General Health and Safety Protocols above:
Drop-off procedure: Weather permitting, we will meet youth and their parents outside in our parking lot for check-in on the first day of camp. All students will check-in on an attendance roster for every class session, in the event that contact tracing is necessary.
Personal protective equipment (PPE): Some processes at CAFAC require PPE including an N95 face mask. Students will be assigned the necessary PPE (N95 mask, safety glasses, and work gloves) at the start of camp, which will be kept at CAFAC in separate storage containers for each student throughout the week.
Environment management: Class sizes are limited to 8, with one instructor. When other working artists are present in the shop, the maximum indoor capacity will be 20 people. CAFAC’s total shop floor capacity is 42.
Classes will take place in the shop or outside. The classroom may be used to store personal belongings during class, but since it is a small space we limit it to 6 people at a time.
Students will take breaks outside, including lunch. Because it may be hot, keeping hydrated will be more important than ever. Bring a water bottle every day.
Sanitation: We do frequent hand-washing reminders throughout the camp day. We also have hydrogen peroxide solution in spray bottles to wipe down tools and equipment as needed.
Symptomatic campers: If a camper begins to develop symptoms during the camp day, especially fever, cough, or shortness of breath we will contact the parent/guardian for pick-up, provide the child with a disposable mask, and separate them from the rest of the camp in a well-ventilated area with fresh air and an activity until they are able to be taken home.
Immunocompromised youth: Please contact us by email if you have concerns about your immunocompromised camper so that we may further discuss additional methods or precautions for protecting their health if necessary.
Protocols for Staff, Instructors, and Volunteers
Staff and instructors are responsible for implementing and complying with all aspects of CAFAC’s Covid-19 Safety Protocols. Please make sure you’ve read all protocols and let the Executive Director or Artistic Director know if you have questions. Together we are keeping our fire arts community safe and we are grateful for your help!
Each time you arrive at CAFAC, add your name to the daily log, on the clipboard on the table by the shop door.
Help us maintain cleaning and sanitizing supplies. If you notice something is low or empty, please refill, or notify the Executive Director or Artistic Director.
Maximize the amount of fresh air being brought into the building by having the shop and overhead doors open when possible. Position fans to minimize air flow blowing across people.