Updated September 2022

By attending any rehearsal or performance, you are certifying that you have no symptoms of COVID-19 or of any potentially infectious respiratory illness.  In addition, you are acknowledging that despite the organization's best efforts to mitigate risk, the choir cannot guarantee 100% safety for singers, considering the reality that having many people inhaling and exhaling in a room together (in other words, choral singing) is inherently somewhat risky with Omicron variants at large in the community. 

The expectation is that VPC members will continue to make choices based on their personal situations, to respect other choristers who might need extra space, and to do their best not to spread any respiratory infections. 

If you must miss a rehearsal, please send a note to evab@vpchoir.ca 

With the input of VPC member Dr. Shaun Peck (former Deputy Provincial Health Officer) and the support of the VPC Board of Directors, these are our current guidelines:

*-The most important thing is to stay home if you have any respiratory symptoms, flu symptoms, or fever. *

-if you have Covid or another respiratory illness, return only when you have recovered from the respiratory illness. Wear a mask for at least the first rehearsal after you return, as  the rapid tests, while helpful, are not 100% reliable.

-While there is currently no provincial health order requiring masks, this continues to be recommended in rooms where there are many people for long periods of time!  St. Mary's Church also recommends masks while singing.

-Being up to date with vaccinations and diligent with hand hygiene are also important.

-We will continue to do what we can for ventilation in our rehearsal and performance venues. At St. Mary's, this means keeping some windows open, so choristers may want to bring a sweater or shawl to rehearsals as the fall and winter weather arrive.

These guidelines will be re-evaluated and changed if necessary; for instance if we see surging rates of infection/serious illness, policy changes at our venues or any new Public Health orders.