COVID-19 Preparedness Plan

Minnesota Jazz Education (MJE) is committed to providing a safe and healthy space for all our board, staff, program participants and families. To ensure we are able to conduct out work safely, MJE has developed the following COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Board and program staff are all responsible for implementing this plan. Our goal is to mitigate the potential for transmission of COVID-19 in program spaces and communities, and that requires full cooperation among our workers and management. 

 

MJE’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan follows the industry guidance developed by the state of Minnesota, which is based upon Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines for COVID-19. This COVID-19 Preparedness Plan administered by Katia Cardenas, Executive Director for MJE.

1.          INFECTION PREVENTION MEASURES

·    All Minnesota Jazz Education (MJE) programs will take place online. 

·    The only program taking place in-person, Experience Jazz, will do so in a limited capacity at High School for Recordings (HSRA).

·    When in-person programming is taking place, online options for participation will be made available to all staff and students

·    HSRA is closed to outside visitors. Experience Jazz program staff and students, HSRA staff and select students will be the only people allowed in.

·    Disinfectants will be used to wipe off common areas several times a day.

·    MJE and HSRA will follow State guidelines for COVID-19 and will change and adjust accordingly if they are modified.

·    Requiring Universal and correct use of masks indoors and outdoors; double masking encouraged

·    Using bell covers (horn players only) and wearing masks while playing (they can cut a hole in a mask, if needed, or are encouraged to purchase masks with slits sewn in)

 

2.          PROMPT IDENTIFICATION AND ISOLATION OF SICK PERSONS

·       Any staff person or student experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or feeling sick will stay home.

·       All staff and students will respond to this questionnaire about any known exposure to COVID-19, symptoms or recent positive test

·       Temperatures will be taken for all students & staff upon arrival

·       Anyone who is sick or was sick with COVID-19 or recently in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days— including staff, students, and families— should not come to program. 

·       If a staff or student tests positive for COVID-19, MJE will investigate the case and trace contacts; encourage isolation and quarantine (consistent with applicable privacy and other laws). Fully vaccinated people who are asymptomatic can refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure.

§  In accordance with state and local laws and regulations, MJE will notify local health officials, staff, and families immediately of any case of COVID-19 while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

§  Work closely with local health officials to conduct contact tracing to identify people who might have been exposed to COVID-19.

·      Any staff or students who have tested positive for COVID-19 should not return to program until 10 days since symptoms first appeared or a positive test, and 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving.

·       If a student does get sick at program, we have identified an area where they can rest, be watched after, and safely isolate from others. We will communicate with parents or caretakers directly and, if necessary, arrange for the child to be taken to a healthcare facility for care. 

·       Any staff or student who is experiencing minor symptoms, has been exposed to COVID-19 or has tested positive may participate in class online from home. 

 

3.    ENGINEERING AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING

·   Staff and students will maintain a six foot distance from each other for all meetings, rehearsals and recording sessions. 

·   Staff will mark off six-foot indications from check-in tables, and operate check-in procedures outdoors, whenever possible

·   Recording equipment and instruments will be set up with 6-foot distance between players

·   Student interaction will be limit to their assigned groups (10 students max). 

·   Group arrival schedules will be staggered to reduce interaction between groups

·   Bathroom use will be limited to one student at a time.

·   Portable HEPA Units will run in all rooms at all times; unless recording

·   Larger/Outdoor Spaces will be favored; doors and windows will be opened to increase airflow 

 

4.    HOUSEKEEPING, INCLUDING CLEANING, DISINFECTING AND DECONTAMINATIOn

·      HSRA will provide disinfectant spray with 99.9% virus and bacteria effectiveness, sanitizer, alcohol wipes and paper towels plus soap for washing hands. 

·      Hand sanitizer will be in the common areas at all times. 

·      Common areas will have disinfectant bottles for use. 

·   All instruments, electronics, equipment, and backline will be disinfected daily by the person who uses it. 

·   Students are permitted to bring and handle their own amps, music/mic/instrument stands and instruments from home

·   Staff be will solely responsible for handling and disinfecting all equipment

·   All students and staff will be required to use hand sanitizer or wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and water up entering the building. 

·   MJE will provide masks incase students forget or want to double mask.

·   MJE will supplement HSRA’s existing cleaning plan by wiping down door knobs and handles, and surfaces in areas of high-traffic before and after program

 

5.          COMMUNICATIONS AND TRAINING FOR MANAGERS AND WORKERS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN

·      MJE staff will discuss this plan at each to update, fine tune, and assign tasks. 

 

6.          PROVISION OF MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION NECESSARY TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE ONGOING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN

·      MJE Executive Director will oversee effective ongoing implementation of this plan and discuss weekly with staff.

If you have a specific question about this plan or COVID-19, please contact Executive Director, Katia Cardenas katia@mnjazzed.org 206-769-8418 for more information.