The following safety protocols are in effect:

• COVID Safety Protocols

  Any member, teacher or visitor to the facility on NHBT business who is feeling unwell or has tested positive for COVID should not attend any in-person classes or enter the NHBT premises.

  If you have tested positive for COVID or exhibit any COVID symptoms, please adhere to the following guidance:

  • Follow local public health guidelines regarding staying home, self-isolating, ending self-isolation and returning to everyday activities.  The Toronto Public Health Guidelines can be found here:   https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-what-you-should-do/
  • To return to in-person classes, you must have two negative Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) taken 24 hours apart. Some people may test positive longer than others; you are still infectious as long as you have a positive RAT result.
  • Please ensure you test properly and follow the test instructions.  For increased efficacy of testing, swabbing inside your cheek and/or back of your throat prior to swabbing the inside of your nose is recommended.

  If you have been in close contact with a positive case of COVID, please adhere to the following guidance:

  • Follow local public health guidelines regarding close contact (use link provided above)
  • You should test prior to your next class and attend only if the results are negative and you are not exhibiting any COVID symptoms
  • If there is a positive case of COVID in your household, you must not attend any in-person classes while the case is still active. You must then have two negative RATs taken 24 hours apart before returning to class in person.

  Notification:

  • If you have tested positive for COVID, share this information with your teacher via email.
  • If a member, teacher or visitor in your class does contract COVID, all class members for that class will be notified by email. Everyone in the impacted class should follow the guidance noted above regarding close contact.

  Members are reminded that virtual class is an option for all registered members. The Zoom link can be found on the members’ page, right above the link for your music.

  NHBT has the following practices in place to protect the health and safety of our in-person members:

  • Air filtration units are in operation during class and breaks to ensure adequate air exchange.
  • Air filtration units are left on in the rehearsal room between classes and/or turned on at least 15 minutes prior to the start of class.
  • Chairs are placed (and must be maintained) at defined distances. 
  • No beverages or snacks are provided during breaks.
  • NHBT provides an ample supply of hand sanitizer, anti-bacterial hand soap and paper towels in the washrooms.
  • Our facility is cleaned by professional cleaners on a weekly basis.

  In-person members follow the protocols below:

  • As per the In-Person Class Vaccination policy, all participants in in-person classes or on the premises for NHBT business must be fully vaccinated.  You can read the details of this policy here: https://newhorizonsbandtoronto.ca/shop/
  • Bell covers on woodwind and brass instruments are mandatory. Participants must provide their own bell covers. Flute players must purchase from NHBT at nominal cost a shield that fits over the head joint.
  • Masks must be worn unless you are playing a woodwind or brass instrument. Masks can be removed only temporarily to drink during break and outside of rehearsal space.
  • Participants must provide their own cloths and ensure no “spit” is left behind on the floors or chairs.
  • Please do not bring or consume any food on the premises.
  • Social distancing must be observed at all times. During break, access to the main door foyer has been granted to minimize congestion in the hall area by the rehearsal room.
  • Please be mindful of social distancing in the washrooms and in the NHBT office space.
  • As the office is no longer available to store instrument cases, small instrument cases (flute, oboe, clarinet, trumpet) should be placed directly underneath the member’s chair, together with any bags or purses. There will be designated areas outside the band room for larger instrument cases.
  • Teaching staff remaining on the premises for multiple classes in one day may eat and drink on the premises but must do so in the NHBT office by themselves. All other participants must leave the rehearsal space and move to the foyer by the double doors or exit the building.
  • Please practice good hand hygiene at all times.