In accordance with Arena Stage’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and as the Licensor for any Event Rentals head at the Mead Center for American Theater, Arena Stage has adopted a COVID‐19 Vaccination and Safety Policy to safeguard the health of our employees and their families; our customers and visitors; and the community at large from infectious diseases, such as COVID‐ 19, that may be reduced by vaccination, masking, social distancing, and/or other measures as recommended and deemed necessary. This policy complies with all applicable laws and is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health authorities, as applicable. This policy and any reasonable accommodations to it may be changed at Arena Stage’s discretion.
For more information on the COVID‐19 virus, how it is spread, and how to mitigate that spread, visit the CDC’s website.
1. Masking:
Arena Stage shall cause every person aged two (2) years and older including, without limitation, all staff, speakers, and guests at the Event Rental and all officers, directors, employees, and agents of the Event Rental, any Approved Caterer, and any Vendor, to wear a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth at all times while present in and about the Mead Center. Masks with a valve, gaiters, scarves, etc. are not permitted. A face shield may be worn with a mask but is not permitted as a substitute for a mask.
i. Masks may be slipped momentarily down below the mouth when guests are actively eating or drinking. “Actively eating or drinking” is defined as the action of taking a bite of food or sip of drink. Holding food items or beverages in one’s hands is not considered actively eating or drinking. Once a bite of food or sip of drink is taken, masks must be restored to proper placement over the nose and mouth.
ii. Masks may be removed when seated at a table, at which the purpose is to eat or drink. If guests move away from the table, their masks must be restored to proper placement over the nose and mouth.
iii. All mask policies detailed above must adhere to and may be superseded by D.C. law at any time.
2. Vaccination:
Arena Stage shall cause every person over the age of twelve including, without limitation, all guests at the Event Rental and all officers, directors, employees, and agents of the Event Rental, any Approved Caterer, and any Vendor to present evidence of being fully vaccinated against COVID‐19 and photo ID by the date of the Event.
“Fully vaccinated” is defined as two weeks after the second dose in a 2‐series FDA‐EUA or approved or WHO approved vaccine against the virus that causes COVID‐19 (such as Pfizer or Moderna) OR two weeks after a single‐dose FDA‐EUA or approved or WHO approved vaccine against the virus that causes COVID‐ 19 (such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen).
“Evidence of vaccination” is defined as either physical copy of a vaccine card, a photo on a phone or printed photo, a printout from a licensed medical provider, or a printout from a state vaccination registry.
i. If a guest, officer, director, employee, agent of the Event Rental, Approved Caterer, or Vendor at the Event Rental is unable to be vaccinated due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, they must provide proof of a negative PCR test administered by a medical provider within 24 hours of the Event Rental start time, or a negative antigen test administered by a medical provider within 6 hours of the Event start time, along with a photo ID. At‐home tests will not be accepted. Persons who provide negative COVID‐19 tests in lieu of proof of vaccination will be restricted to front‐of‐house areas only, and will not be allowed in areas designated as back‐of‐house, backstage, administration offices, etc. Designation of which areas are considered restricted is at the sole discretion of Arena Stage.
3. Notification:
Guests, officers, directors, employee, agent of the Event Rental, Approved Caterer, or Vendor shall be notified in writing by the Event Rental prior to arrival at Arena Stage that no person will be permitted onsite who is knowingly actively infected with COVID‐19, who is actively experiencing symptoms of COVID‐ 19 that has not been diagnosed as a separate condition, or who is recommended for quarantine by the CDC due to exposure to COVID‐19.
Arena Stage may make additional rules, in its sole discretion, intended to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus and any other Public Health Condition in or about the Mead Center. Arena Stage also reserves the right to change any of these rules based on ever‐evolving health guidance and in conjunction with our medical authorities and safety committee. Arena Stage reserves the right to revoke access to the Mead Center for any person who fails to comply with such rules. Failure to comply with any such rules, including those detailed above, during the Event period itself will result in removal from the premises.