From 26th December, Wales has moved back to alert level 2. Rehearsals can still take place – but with restrictions on numbers and with new required measures. Bands should re-visit their risk assessments in light of the increased risk level and new restrictions and decide if their activities are still viable and/or if new measures are needed to stay safe.
Outdoors
- Outdoor events can take place but with a total limit of 50 people, so outdoor rehearsals with up to 50 people are fine.
- Encourage members to use lateral flows tests before attending.
- Groups must carry out a risk assessment and have measures in place to mitigate risk.
Indoors
- Indoor events can take place with a total limit of 30 people, so indoor rehearsals with up to 30 people are fine.
- You are required to observe 2-metre social distancing (we provide more clarity on this later in our guidance).
- Face coverings remain a legal requirement when not playing.
- Encourage members to use lateral flows tests before attending.
- Groups must carry out a risk assessment and have measures in place to mitigate risk.
Social activities
- The rule of six has been re-introduced – groups of no more than six can meet at regulated premises, such as hospitality venues, cinemas and theatres.
- Organised group music activities (e.g. a rehearsal) are not social activities – and so the rule of six does not apply – but the total limit of 30 does apply as above. If there is a social activity before or after a rehearsal, our understanding is that the rule of six would apply to that social activity. So, the group of 30 at the rehearsal should become five separate groups of six (or less) with no mixing of groups.
COVID secure rehearsals – Brass Band Wales recommend three key steps:
- Carry out/amend your coronavirus risk assessment.
- Provide clear information to everyone involved on your activities so they understand what measures will be in place and what is expected of them.
- Take reasonable measures to reduce the risks:
Reasonable measures to reduce the risks at rehearsals
BEFORE REHEARSAL
• Rehearsal space is checked to ensure that 2m social distancing can be maintained.
• Carefully consider the quality of the ventilation available, ideally via mechanical systems but
also by opening windows and doors.
• Group contact information collected and collated in advance for track and trace.
• Attendees asked not to attend if they have any likelihood of having COVID-19.
• Make attendees aware that attendance is not compulsory to ease the pressure on members
where mild symptoms may prevail.
• All chairs and music stands to be set out and wiped down in advance of players arriving
(attendees may opt to bring their own music stand where possible).
UPON ARRIVAL
• Attendees should arrive separately and avoid any unnecessary congregating – moving straight to their seat.
• Attendees should all sanitise hands before entering or upon entry, with sanitiser available at the venue.
• Attendees should arriving wearing a mask (unless medically exempt), only removing the mask to play.
• We recommend a policy whereby attendees either present confirmation of a negative test or a temperature
is taken before rehearsal, to increase confidence.
DURING REHEARSAL
• Use side-to-side positioning (rather than face-to-face) wherever possible.
• Observe social distancing of 2 metres between players and any other people (such as the
conductor).
• A face covering must be worn indoors at all times when not playing (This includes percussionists
whilst playing and conductors).
• Encourage special care of cleaning spit and condensation from instruments to prevent the
spread of droplets. Members to bring their own cloth, contained within a waterproof bag. • Avoid sharing equipment (such as mutes, percussion sticks etc).
• Ventilation breaks are recommended for longer rehearsals.
AFTER REHEARSAL
• Attendees should not help to pack away chairs and stands – this should be done by one person once the
rehearsal space has been cleared of attendees. Seats could be labelled with player names if and where
appropriate.
• Upon leaving, the final person should disinfect contact surfaces such as light switches and door handles.
• Ensuring there is a clear policy in place for managing a COVID-19 positive individual, and abiding by Welsh
Government self-isolation, Test, Trace, Protect guidelines and reporting requirements.
Physical distancing
Whilst Brass Bands Wales recommends bands adhere to a 2-metre distancing rule, there are certain scenarios where this may not be necessary. The current guidance from the Welsh Government states: “There may be limited circumstances when 2 metre social distancing is not always reasonable or where other mitigating measures may be sufficient to mitigate the risks without distancing at 2 metres. Where this is the case, a person responsible for premises would be expected to take additional and strengthened measures, alongside maintaining as much physical distancing as reasonable. The responsible person may have regard, for example, to the fact that people have been tested for coronavirus prior to an event or that the way the premises is set out and managed prevents people from having close face to face interaction. Also important is the extent to which the premises are well ventilated. 2m distancing may not be required as a result if those present are all seated facing the same direction, if those present do not stay for a prolonged period and if the air in the premises circulates effectively using natural or mechanical ventilation. However, 2m distancing should be maintained where additional measures such as these, which mitigate risk, are not in place (or not sufficient to mitigate the risk, for example at pinch-points or where people are moving around, such as ingress and egress points, toilets, concession stands etc.). Members are reminded that this information is for guidance purposes only and that the latest information regarding restrictions can be sourced from the Welsh Government’s website. To find out more about the guidance at Alert Level 2 for employers, businesses and organisations in Wales, please visit: https://gov.wales/alert-level-2-guidance-employers-businesses-and-organisations-html