This Visitor Guide / Help Sheet was first published in 2020 to allow us to safely re-open the Theatre to employees, visiting contractors and participants / audiences / customers following the COVID-19 outbreak. We have produced an extensive Risk Assessment which is available on our website and we encourage everyone who feels able to read it all to do so.
For those who are able to engage with our wide-ranging programme of activities, and those who may be visiting the building, including contractors, this simple summary document may be useful to understand the steps we have taken, and continue to take, that are most relevant to you, as we operate in line with what is permitted in England effective 5 January 2021 as outlined in government guidance ‘National Lockdown England / Stay at Home’.
The changes we have made include:
All participants / visitors over 11 years old (school Year 7 plus), are expected to wear a face covering / mask when entering the building and this must be kept on in our public areas, including in the auditorium until they leave the building unless there is a reasonable excuse for removing it or they are exempt from wearing one.
We will:
It is not necessary for anyone taking part in a participatory activity to wear a face covering / mask during the sessions. The face covering can be removed when entering the room where the session is taking place. The face covering / mask will need to be put back on when participants leave the session and re-enter the public areas.
All participants / visitors over 11 years old (school Year 7 plus), are expected to wear a face covering / mask when watching a performance / visiting the gallery, unless there is a reasonable excuse for removing it or they are exempt from wearing one.
A member of the core Half Moon team will contact you in advance of your time being with us at Half Moon. They will induct you regarding any relevant guidance to make your time at Half Moon safe including logging your presence at work. Note that it is not a requirement for any staff / artists working for Half Moon to wear a face covering / mask when there are no public / customers in the venue or the venue is closed to the public. This includes those professionals who are rehearsing, filming or undertaking technical activity in dedicated spaces. It is, however, a requirement in public areas of the venue when public / customers are present. N.B. It is not necessary for staff / artists taking part in a participatory activity to wear a face covering / mask during the sessions. The face covering can be removed when entering the room where the session is taking place. The face covering / mask will need to be put back on when leaving the session to re-enter the public areas.
Visitors must book their attendance in advance with Half Moon staff. They will be allocated a member of staff who will act as their contact throughout their visit, which may include supervision, All visitors including contractors must adhere to our guidelines at all times.
If, on a day you are coming to Half Moon, you, or any member of your household shows symptoms of COVID-19, however mild, or you have received a positive COVID-19 test result, or have been told to self-isolate by the government’s Test and Trace service, DO NOT COME TO HALF MOON. Call Half Moon and tell us. It is then your responsibility to take a test if you haven’t done so already.
Similarly, if, less than 48 hours since you last came to Half Moon, you (your child) or any member of your household shows symptoms of COVID-19, has received a positive COVID-19 test result, or have been told to self-isolate by the government’s Test and Trace service, again call Half Moon and tell us. DO NOT COME TO HALF MOON. It is then your responsibility to take a test.
DO NOT contact anyone who you know has been at Half Moon at the same time as you. IT IS OUR responsibility to inform everyone who may be affected if required by the Test and Trace service to do so: this only takes place if there is a positive test result.
If your result is negative, you may return to Half Moon.
Please note, the most important symptoms of COVID-19 are:
Please note, the most important symptoms of COVID-19 are:
- a new continuous cough;
- a high temperature;
- a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia).
Many thanks for reading this information. Please feel free to ask a member of staff for any clarification on anything written in this information. At Half Moon, we aim to be as safe as possible for everyone. We cannot stop COVID-19 but if we work together, we can minimise the risks. The link to the full Risk Assessment is here.
Updated 5.1.2021