COVID-19 INFORMATION UPDATE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – March 12, 2020
Although Oakville/Mississauga is deemed to be at low risk, as our team prepares for our MSYO concert on Sunday, and for further concerts this season, we at Orchestras Mississauga (MSO and MSYO) want to ensure everyone that we are taking every precaution to protect our audience, musicians and our staff. Here are the safety precautions we have put in place:
- Monitoring any member(s) of the organization who interact closely with others for potential COVID-19 symptoms. Any orchestra musicians or staff who exhibit any symptoms that are COVID-19 related, or who have been in contact with anyone that may have been in contact with the virus, must call in to get approval to come to rehearsals, concerts, or the office. If the staff member or musician exhibits any COVID-19 like symptoms, they will be asked to stay home until it is deemed safe to return to work.
- Constantly remind all organization members of the need to wash their hands frequently and use alcohol based hand sanitizers.
- Additional disinfectant wipes will be made available in each office and rehearsal room to clean hands and/or equipment.
- All organization members returning from Coronavirus infected areas/countries will require a clearance certificate from a doctor before they are allowed to return to the orchestra.
Orchestras Mississauga is following the lead and recommendations of public health authorities in this matter and tracking updates every day. Currently, local health officials are reiterating that the risk for infection in Canada remains low. However, in the interest of utmost caution, we are implementing immediate safeguards as well as planning for all possible developments.
The Living Arts Centre and City of Mississauga are closely following the instructions and guidelines issued by the national and regional health authorities. A staff working team for COVID-19 is in ongoing contact with Peel Public Health, who is working with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario and other local health providers to monitor the risk and take protective actions as needed. The message from Peel Public Health is that the risk to the Peel community remains low as there is no evidence of community transmission in Peel. We are therefore making every effort to avoid disruption in our operations and programming at this time.
The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other more common viruses is to:
- wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose as much as possible.
- avoid contact with people who are ill and their items.
- cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; if no tissue is available, then sneeze or cough into the sleeve or arm.
- clean and disinfect objects and surfaces regularly.
- stay home if ill until your symptoms resolve.
In addition to these practices the Living Arts Centre follows a regular facility cleaning schedule and will increase sanitation at high touch points, washrooms, door handles, elevator buttons, automatic door operator plates, toilet flush handles and faucets.
If you would like more information regarding COVID -19 below are some recommended sources:
