With dance studios in England able to open from today many people may be wondering when we will be able to get back to class?
We must however remember that the Welsh government is implementing a different path out of lockdown for Wales. On 10 July, Ministers announced significant changes to the regulations which permitted outdoor gyms to open and outdoor organised group activities to resume, however indoor facilities must remain closed. They also announced that ahead of the next review of the regulations on 30 July, that the Welsh Government would work with local authorities and other operators to understand how gyms, leisure centres, fitness/dance studios and swimming pools can introduce measures to safely open.
We will be waiting for further guidance to be released on the 30th. However with the government stating that most facilities will need a 2-3 week notice period to reopen in a safe manner and noting that indoor facilities used by the general public are likely to be the last to return I do not envision us being able to teach at the studio again before September.
What Needs to be in Place for us to Reopen?
To enable us to open Flame Dance Studios, once government guidelines allow, we need to ensure that all of our teachers, students and customers can visit the studio safely and that we open in a Coronavirus safe manner that avoids the further spread of infection.
I will save you a complete analysis of the guidance offered for Sport, recreation and leisure. However in summary the things that I need to have in mind to reopen the studio include; (This is not a comprehensive list and further guidance and rules are likely when we get the go ahead to open)
Classes initially becoming permissible on a limited or adapted basis, while certain restrictions remain in place.
Limiting the number of people at the studio at any one time.
Reduction in class numbers to allow for social distancing in relation to the studio size.
Ensuring there is adequate ventilation and making physical adaptions to the space to increase ventilation.
Enhanced cleaning regime.
Provision of hand sanitisers.
Implement a one-way system and queue management if required to help traffic flow management.
Temporary floor markings to indicate social distancing
Prohibiting changing at the studio.
Having a Covid risk assessment and action plan in place demonstrating our mitigations, how we plan to operate, and any adaptations required.
Putting in place a Test, Trace, Protect system where customer information is collected in accordance with GDRP and ensuring it can be mobilised effectively.
Ensuring all visitors to the studio undergo a self assessment for any COVID-19 symptoms before attending the venue. No-one should leave home to participate in sport if they, or someone they live with, is symptomatic - or suspects they may have been exposed to the virus.
The time spent congregating at the venue before a class will be strictly limited.
Social and physical distancing measures must be applied all times.
Limiting people within the building to only those persons who need to attend, e.g. parents or guardians of children who require their attendance for health or safeguarding reasons.
If you’re a glutton for punishment you can check out the full text guidance yourself by following the below links:
What Can I Do Whilst I Wait For The Studio To Reopen?
Children's Lessons
We are currently holding lessons via Zoom which have been incredibly successful. The children are having a blast and are enjoying learning new routines every week and having some autonomy over the songs we dance to. Please find the timetable here if you'd like to join these lessons.
If you haven’t yet accessed them, we recorded and released videos during the first few months of lockdown on our YouTube channel. These videos are short videos focusing on each exercise we teach in class to aid the development of your child. We also uploaded videos of the routines the children had been learning in class.
These videos were shared with the email address you provided to us when registering. If you are unable to access these videos please let us know and we'll sort it for you.
We know these virtual substitutes for the classes are far removed from the norm of classes at the studio. But hopefully these will help you get through this difficult time and provide the students with some fun.
Adult Lessons
Your class provider is likely to have been offering virtual lessons and workshops while the studio is closed. If you haven't yet accessed these please see your class providers social platforms.
We are looking forward to welcoming some of you back next week to the car park for outdoor lessons.
How Are We Doing?
A lot of you have been asking about the wedding. As many of you knew, I was due to get married on the 27th of June this year. After waiting it out as long as we could, we initially postponed the wedding to August, and have since postponed again. I hope it will be third time lucky for us and that we will be married on the 26th June 2021 🎉
Aside from the stress of not knowing whether or not we would be married this year, we have enjoyed the extra time lockdown has allowed us to spend with each other and later on with my family. If lockdown has taught us anything, it is to make the most of time spent with our loved ones.
The Roberts girls have swapped time in the studio and training to being busy in the garden making it even better for the wedding reception next year.
In Conclusion
All things considered, we’re fit and healthy and the Studio will survive. We hope to be back soon but understand the Welsh gov airing on the side of caution. I'm missing the buzz of the studio and seeing all of our students and customers. I'm looking forward to welcoming you all back to a (hopefully) finished studio.
We hope you’re all keeping safe and well and we look forward to seeing you soon.