Hit That Jive Productions

A Non-Profit Arts Organization

Our organization gathers in Amiskwaciwâskahikan, known colonially as Edmonton, Alberta. This land is the traditional territory of many Indigenous People, the First Nations of Treaty 6, and the Metis of Districts 9 and 10.

This land has thousands of years of history, storytelling, and oral traditions. In the spirit of the treaty and its oral agreements we are all meant to share this land and are all treaty people.

 HEALTH policy

Community Protection from Viral Illnesses

(COVID-19, Influenza, RSV, etc. )

Note that this policy & guidelines document is subject to change based on current Public Health Concerns and advisories from health officials. This policy is written with the intent of keeping the safety and best interests of Hit That Jive Productions board members, staff, employees, contractors, artists, volunteers, patrons, and our community in mind.

The intent of this policy is to support a move towards a culture where our Community and Representatives stay home when they are sick, no matter the illness or the perceived risk to others (Alberta Health Services, 2022). This policy is here to protect our community and intended as a preventative measure. As an organization we have a responsibility to not only our staff, but our community to maintain a safe and healthy environment, including during situations of outbreak or illness (Indig, Steven, slide 16). The strategy is built on a foundation of awareness, trust and shared responsibility (Alberta Health Services, 2022).  This strategy considers the evolution of the current health situation including that masks are no longer required by Alberta Health Services in healthcare settings.


This policy applies to all Hit That Jive Productions (Hit That Jive) events/festivals/workshops, including but not limited to the Play the Fool Festivals. 

Definitions:

  1. Hit That Jive Representative(s): This includes all Hit That Jive board members, artists, staff, employees, contractors, volunteers, and anyone who represents the company in an official capacity; all participants of festivals or projects produced by Hit That Jive,  including but not limited to Play the Fool Theatre Festival and Play the Fool Film Festival. 

  2. Fully Vaccinated: People are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after they have received all applicable doses of a Health Canada authorized vaccine. Boosters are recommended, but not required. 

  3. Patrons: Any person attending an event or festival produced by Hit That Jive Productions, including, but not limited to the Play the Fool Festivals, that is not a Hit That Jive Representative.  

  4. Performing Artist(s): Any contracted artist that is performing for a live audience during an event or festival.

  5. Symptoms of Illness: Includes, but are not limited to: new or worsening cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, temperature equal to or more than 38°C, feeling feverish, chills, fatigue or weakness, muscle or body aches, new loss of smell or taste, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.

  6. Exposure: Individuals who have had close contact with someone who is exhibiting new or worsening Symptoms of Illness or a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 5 days (Alberta Health Services, 2022).

  7. Date of Last Exposure: the last date that you were exposed to someone with symptoms of illness. 

  8. Self-monitoring: Free of symptoms of illness, and regular negative rapid tests

  9. COVID-19 test: Any rapid antigen test. These tests show if you currently have a viral load high enough to be considered contagious. “Confirmed COVID-19 cases are the most infectious for up to 5 days after the onset of symptoms. However, a case is considered infectious for up to 10 days therefore extra vigilance and strict adherence to continuous masking, hand hygiene and physical distancing with others should be followed after day 5 of infection” (Alberta Health Services, 2022).

  10. Mask Friendly: When an event is designated as mask friendly, masks are encouraged, but not required.


Policy

  1. Full vaccination against COVID-19 is highly recommended for all Hit That Jive Representatives and Patrons. 

  2. Masks are required for all Hit That Jive Representatives and Patrons on event/festival/workshop grounds, and during an event, festival, or workshop; this includes all rehearsals and rehearsal spaces, and technical rehearsals  unless stated otherwise. Mask friendly events and performances are offered and will be specified as such. When masks are required they must meet the following requirements. 

    1. Masks must fully cover the nose and mouth, and be secure under your chin.

    2. We require a minimum of a surgical mask, ASTM level 1, (no cloth masks). Masks will be available upon request.

    3. If you are traveling to our event/festival/workshop via public transportation, or other means (ie. Airplane) with a large group of people we ask that you please consider wearing a mask while traveling.

    4. Masks can be removed in outdoor spaces.

  3. If a Hit That Jive Representative or Patron is feeling ill, or exhibiting any of the Symptoms of illness, they cannot attend any events, festivals, or workshops. 

  4. If a Hit That Jive Representative has had exposure to someone with symptoms of illness within the last 5 days, they must self-monitor, be asymptomatic, and test negative for COVID-19 each day of the event that they wish to attend. They must also wear a KN95 mask. Masks will be provided on request. 

  5. If a Hit That Jive Representative has tested positive for COVID-19, they must wait a minimum of 5 days from the first positive test; they can not attend any Hit That Jive events, festivals, or workshop until they have TWO negative COVID-19 tests 24 hours apart, prior to attending a Hit That Jive event or festival. These individuals will be required to wear a KN95 mask while in attendance.

  6. Hand hygiene is a simple and effective way to prevent the spread of illness. We would like to remind all patrons and Representatives to wash/sanitize regularly. Please wash your hands after using the restroom, sneezing, or coughing. 

  7. If you become ill during the event/festival/workshop, please contact us and we will refund or credit the prorated amount of any tickets that you may have purchased from the time you become ill. We also encourage you to test for COVID-19.

Considerations for Artists

  1. Masking guidelines for Performing Artists to meet the preparation needs and requirements of their performance; 

    1. Masks may be removed to apply makeup/get ready in the backstage and green room areas. 

    2. Masks are not required while performing on stage. 

    3. If a Performing Artist is going into the public or lobby space during preparation, they must wear a mask unless stated otherwise. 

    4. Upon completion of their performance, the Performing Artist is required to wear a mask again in all event/festival spaces unless stated otherwise.

Accommodations 

  1. Accommodations will be considered on a case by case basis; if you would like to request an accommodation in relation to this policy, please do so in writing to the HTJ Board. 


Application 

  1. All HTJ Events will appoint a designated representative to support the application of this policy by assessing situations and acting as a liaison to the HTJ Board.

  2. This policy will be reviewed quarterly; any changes will be communicated to all impacted parties in a timely fashion. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the policy updates, please contact the HTJ Board. 


Recourse 

  1. If you are found to be in breach of this policy, you will be removed from the event. 

Resources

  1. For more information related to mask wearing please refer to the Agency of Canada Public Health page. The link is provided below

www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks/about-non-medical-masks-face-coverings.html.

www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/covid-19-mask-fit-properly.html.

  1. Instructions for how to perform a Rapid Test properly please watch the video below. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJhdIWWdXT4

If you have any concerns about the above policy, please contact the COVID Rep. Concerns will be addressed and reviewed by the Hit That Jive Board of Directors and CEO. 

Appendix B

 References

Alberta Health Services. “COVID-19 Guidance: Fit For Work Screening Protocol.” Alberta Health Services- INSITE. 01. Sept. 2022. n. 1. 23 November 2022

Daily Fit for Work Screening Protocol (albertahealthservices.ca)

Alberta Health Services. “COVID-19 Return to Work Decision Chart for Healthcare Workers.” Alberta Health Services- INSITE. 10. June 2022. n.page. 23 November 2022

COVID-19 Return to Work Decision Chart for Healthcare Workers (albertahealthservices.ca)

Alberta Health Services. “COVID-19 Return to Work Decision Guide for Healthcare Workers.” Alberta Health Services- INSITE. 4. Oct. 2022. N.page. 24 November 2022 COVID-19 Return to Work Guide for Healthcare Workers (albertahealthservices.ca)

Indig, Steven. “Legal and Human Rights Considerations Around Establishing Proof of Vaccination Requirements as a Condition of Sport Participation or Club Access.” Vaccination-Presentation.pptx (live.com). 22 Nov. 2022.

This policy was updated September 2023.

Hit That Jive Productions is supported by the Edmonton Arts Council and the City of Edmonton. 

Hit That Jive Productions is also supported by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and the Government of Alberta.

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.