COVID PROTOCOLS – Fall 2023

The SANS Board of Directors has decided to make masks optional for the fall season.  After an extensive singer survey and consultation with other choral groups, we are cautiously optimistic about beginning our season with a masks optional policy.

For the health, comfort and care for all, we ask all singers to agree to the following policies and protocols:

  • Vaccination:  ALL singers must be fully vaccinated against Covid, including at least one bivalent booster.  There will be no exceptions to this policy.  Singers will be asked for a copy of their vaccination card/record at the time of registration.

  • Masks will be a matter of personal choice:  Singers may sing masked or unmasked, as a matter of their personal comfort and preference.  

  • Ventilation: We will keep windows open as long as weather permits, and use an air filter during rehearsals.

  • Music Directors:  Masks will also be optional for music directors, leaders and those making announcements.  If a director elects to wear a mask, please respect their decision and do not ask them to remove it.  If you can’t hear, please raise your hand.

  • MOST IMPORTANT: If you have ANY symptoms, even if it’s just a sniffle or your think “it’s just a cold or allergies,” we ask you to STAY HOME and watch the livestream.  We are investing in new equipment in an effort to improve the quality of our livestream audio.  This is the most important thing we can do to protect the health of all.

  • If a singer tests positive for Covid:  Any singer testing positive for Covid must inform SANS.  Please send an email to Administrative Director Linda Shoemaker – sharinganewsong@gmail.com. 

    • We will inform the group so that singers who had direct contact can test themselves and prevent further spread. 

    • If one or more singers contract covid, and we think it’s likely they were contagious during the prior week’s rehearsal, we may ask singers to wear a mask the following week.

    • We will follow current CDC guidelines about when you can return to rehearsals.

  • Things could change:  The SANS Board may change this policy at any time.  If we have a Covid outbreak, or if there is a surge or change in CDC recommendations, we may return to requiring masks for all singers.