Safety Guidelines

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Nevadans will need to gradually adjust our lives to new circumstances and learn how to co-exist with the virus until such time when effective vaccines and treatments become available. In order to do so, we must remember that the best tools we have to combat the spread of this virus is our collective ability to adhere to the infection prevention principles that have remained consistent: maintain safe social distancing, wear face coverings, and practice good hygiene. These simple measures continue to be our only means to reduce the spread of COVID-19 during these challenging times.

Reopening and reviving our state economy is important to all Nevadans. This can be accomplished through the adoption of healthy behaviors as well as mitigation practices within our gathering places, businesses, and industries.

In consultation with federal, state, and local health officials, Governor Steve Sisolak signed Emergency Directive 033, effective at 12:01am on October 1, 2020, to facilitate larger gatherings and events while still diminishing personal contact and increasing the level of disinfection in highuse areas. The controlling guidance below accompanies the requirements set forth in Directive 033. In order to minimize the risk of contracting and spreading the virus, minimum strict adherence to safety and infection prevention measures must be followed. All event venues, gathering organizers, hosts and individuals throughout the State must be fully compliant to ensure a successful next step in our reopening.

The controlling guidance below is for planning, coordinating, or hosting in-person gatherings (e.g., events, conventions, corporate meetings, services, ceremonies and celebrations). These gatherings may take place in outdoor or indoor venues, including but not limited to, community centers, fellowship halls and gatherings spaces in faith-based buildings, halls, rental space in event centers, or outdoor event spaces. The guidance includes, but is not limited to, requirements and recommendations related to the following:

Implementing 6 foot physical distancing practices during social and business interactions.
Wearing face coverings at all times.
Conducting health screenings for all event organizers, employees, and visitors by measuring temperature, assessing for respiratory infection symptoms, and asking if there is a history of exposure to confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases.
Requiring regular handwashing and/or hand sanitizing.
Improving ventilation.
Implementing adequate environmental disinfection.
Avoiding crowded areas.
Dividing large mass gatherings into smaller separate groups.
Preventing congestion of individuals in small areas and ensuring locations of one-way entry and exit movement within the venue.
Encouraging employees, participants, and individuals to stay at home if symptomatic or if they have recent history of contact with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19.
Asking employees or visitors who start to develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 to leave the venue and/or seek medical care as appropriate.

The proper implementation of safety measures may feel challenging; however, this is our best way to reduce the individual and collective risk the COVID-19 virus presents while ensuring Nevada’s businesses and economy can continue on the path toward full recovery.

As set forth in Directive 033 and for the purposes of this guidance, a “gathering” is defined as an activity that draws persons to: (1) the same space, (2) at the same time, (3) for the same purpose, and (4) for the same duration of time.

This guidance is specific to “gatherings” only and is based on the rules set forth in Emergency Directive 033. This guidance does not impact the current capacity limit of 50 percent for certain types of businesses and activities (e.g. retail, restaurants, bars, pools, gyms, etc).

IMPORTANT:

Large in-person gatherings can present risk for increasing the spread of COVID-19 if social distancing, face covering requirements, and other mitigation guidance is not followed. All organizations, individuals and families, and event planners are encouraged to provide remote services as an alternative to hosting large gatherings.

MASKS AND FACE COVERINGS: As of June 24, 2020, individuals in Nevada are required to wear a face covering when they are out in public, per Emergency Directive 024. The emergency directive includes exemptions for children under a certain age and individuals who are unable to wear or tolerate a face covering due to medical or mental health conditions or other reasons. There are also situations in which a face covering may be temporarily removed, such as when actively eating or drinking, provided that social distancing is maintained between members of different parties. Businesses and venues may choose to have more protective requirements than those in the Directive. under certain circumstances

Managing Occupancy

HOW TO DETERMINE CAPACITY BASED ON MITIGATION DIRECTIVES

Summary: Directive 033, effective at 12:01am on October 1, 2020, provides that the general public shall not gather in groups of more than 250 individuals or 50 percent of fire code capacity, whichever is less, in any indoor or outdoor area whether publicly or privately owned where the public has access by right or invitation, express or implied, whether by payment of money or not. A venue’s 50 percent capacity is dictated by the applicable local jurisdiction’s occupancy limit set for such venue. This provision shall not be construed to apply to gatherings of individuals at residential properties. However, it is strongly encouraged that gatherings at residential properties be capped at no more than 10 indoors and no more than 25 outdoors. See “Nevada COVID-19 Guidance for Gatherings at Private Residences”

This guidance is based on space size, predictability and flow of movement, duration of time in designated shared space, and the potential spread of COVID-19 at large gatherings, even when precautions are taken.

IMPORTANT: Limit Capacity as Necessary

If the number of individuals creates congregation, congestion, or bottlenecking that does not allow for proper social distancing and compliance with this guidance, the venue must further reduce the number of individuals it allows to a level that achieves compliance with this guidance.

PRIVATE RESIDENCES

Gatherings, events, celebrations and ceremonies in private residences should be limited to a maximum of 10 individuals indoors and 25 individuals outdoors. Capacity should be decreased if necessary, to ensure a minimum of 6 feet social distancing between non-household individuals. Unless the home regularly functions as an event space or venue, events larger than those outlined above should not take place in a private residence. See “Nevada COVID-19 Guidance for Gatherings at Private Residences”

PUBLIC & PRIVATE GATHERINGS: Event Spaces & Venues (Indoor & Outdoor)

*This does not include Trade Shows, Conferences, Conventions, Professional Seminars & Similar Gathering Activities (see separate guidance in this document)

Event staff: For the purposes of determining occupant capacity based on Directive 033 and this guidance, event staff and event hosts will NOT be counted toward gathering capacity limits.

The number of workers at a venue does not need to be included when considering occupant capacity for the purposes of this guidance. Staff are required to ensure the successful implementation of these guidelines and the safety of participants. Therefore, staff do not contribute to the capacity limit. All staff must adhere to all social distancing measures and guidance outlined in this document and any other guidance document specific to their employment.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT at Gatherings

Live entertainment (e.g. live music, entertainment performances, sport competitions) is allowed if the requirements in the “Baseline Guidance for Gatherings” found at the bottom of this document are met, in addition to the requirements below:

If a gathering of any size includes a live entertainment event or performance, there MUST be a distance of at least 25 feet maintained between the performance area (e.g. stage, court, field), and the audience. Consider installing a barrier or partition between the performance area and audience.
So long as performers, competitors, actors, entertainers, coaches or players always maintain at least 25 feet of distance from spectators, they are not required to be included in the occupant capacity limit. Should they join spectator spaces, they must be included in the occupant capacity limit. Event staff that interact with spectators as part of their duties during an event should not be counted against the occupancy limit.
Standing room only is prohibited.
SEATING:
- Gatherings with less than 2,500 capacity: Individuals must be seated in a designated seat.
- Gatherings with 2,500 or more fixed-seating capacity: Individuals must be seated in assigned fixed seating. [SEE “Large Gathering Spaces & Venues (2,500 fixed seating capacity or more”]
“Ambient” or “Background” music is exempted from the “Live Entertainment” guidance
- For the purposes of this guidance, “ambient” or “background” music is music used to create or enhance a mood or atmosphere that is incidental to the primary activity or location. It is intended to be an unobtrusive accompaniment to the main activity, such as dining at a restaurant or walking through a venue.Example 1: A pianist playing music in the reception area of a hotel while guests check-in.
  Example 2: A singer performing at a restaurant while people dine

Gathering Spaces & Venues (2,500 Occupant Capacity or Less)

Any indoor or outdoor gathering space or venue will be limited to gatherings of 250 individuals or 50 percent occupant capacity, whichever is less, so long as social distancing can be maintained with individuals spaced 6 feet apart and all other requirements met. For venues with less than 2,500 occupant capacity, individuals are not required to be seated at all times, providing they allow for social distancing, unless there is live entertainment.

EXAMPLE 1: If a venue has a total occupant capacity of 1,000, 50 percent of that equals 500. Since 250 is less than 500, that venue would only be allowed to have a maximum of 250 individuals gathered in that setting.

EXAMPLE 2: If a venue has a total occupancy capacity of 200, 50 percent of that equals 100. Since 100 is less than 250, that venue would only be allowed to have a maximum of 100 individuals gathered in that setting.

Consider advanced registration, reservations and/or ticketing (e.g. on-line, app-based, email, willcall prior to event date), based on the type of event or gathering.

***Any venue may have up to 50 individuals regardless of capacity so long as social distancing and other requirements can be met.

This allows churches and other faith-based venues with capacity of 99 or less to continue with the previous 50-person gathering limit, so long as social distancing requirements are met.

CAPACITY FOR INDIVIDUAL GATHERING AREAS WITHIN A VENUE*

*This does not include Trade Shows, Conferences, Conventions, Professional Seminars & Similar Gathering Activities (see separate guidance in this document)

Venues with multiple distinct rooms, arenas, areas or buildings that are physically separated may have gatherings of up to 250 individuals or 50 percent of occupant capacity, in each setting. The designated individual settings should maintain separate entrances and exits. If separate entrances and exits cannot be achieved for each individual setting, the venue must stagger the entrance and exit times for individuals to avoid congregation, congestion, or bottlenecking that does not allow for proper social distancing. Each designated area must minimize the use of shared facilities, such as restrooms

Large Gathering Spaces & Venues (2,500 Fixed Seating Capacity or More)
If a gathering space or venue (indoor or outdoor) with fixed seating capacity in excess of 2,500 wants to host more than 250 individuals, it may have up to 10 percent of the fixed seating capacity at an event or gathering, so long as:

“Sections” of 250 individuals maximum are established, see “Sections” guidance below;
Social distancing can be maintained;
A “Large Gathering Venue COVID-19 Preparedness & Safety Plan” is submitted and approved according to the process outlined below,
“Standing room only” is prohibited. All individuals must be seated in fixed, assigned seating;
Pre-registration, reservations and/or ticketing is required. General admission is prohibited.
General admission, walk-ins, impromptu purchases, and will-call on the day of the event is prohibited.
- Will-call may be open for individuals to pick up their tickets prior to the actual day of the gathering. Will-call is prohibited on the day of gathering to avoid congestion.
All other requirements are met.

EXAMPLE 1: If a venue has a total fixed-seating occupant capacity of 3,000, 10 percent of that equals 300, which is the maximum number venue would be permitted to have at a gathering, provided they are seated, use Sections, and the venue receives approval of their plan.

EXAMPLE 2: If a venue has a total fixed seating occupant capacity of 20,000, 10 percent of that equals 2,000, which is the maximum number the venue would be permitted to have at a gathering, provided they are seated, use Sections, and the venue receives approval of their plan. They would be required to split up attendees into sections of a maximum of 250, based on occupant capacity of Section areas and social
distancing requirements for Pods. If they could adequately fit 250 individuals within a section with all social distancing requirements being met, this venue could hold their 2,000 attendees in 8 Sections.

LARGE GATHERING VENUE COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS & SAFETY PLAN

ALL gathering spaces and venues with more than 2,500 total fixed seating capacity that want to host a gathering for more than 250 individuals are REQUIRED to submit a “Large Gathering Venue COVID-19 Preparedness & Safety Plan” to the local health authority where the gathering is going to take place. The local health authority must review and confirm that the plan meets the local public health standards and will not place an unacceptable burden on the local public health infrastructure. Upon review and confirmation by the local health authority, the plan should then be forwarded to the appropriate State oversight authority for final review and approval. No space or venue with capacity greater than 2,500 individuals may hold a gathering for more than 250 individuals without receiving State approval. See “Large Gathering Venue COVID-19 Preparedness & Safety Plan Submission Guide”

***No plan will receive approval if it does not meet all requirements intended to prevent the local public health facilities and infrastructure from being overwhelmed.

SECTIONS & PODS

Indoor and outdoor seated gathering venues with fixed seated capacity in excess of 2,500 who wish to host more than 250 individuals may allow multiple groups of up to 250 individuals, referred to as a “Section,” so long as social distancing can be maintained within the Section between groups of no more than 6 individuals, referred to as a “Pod”. Individuals must adhere to all social distancing measures and other safety protocols and requirements outlined below must be followed.

SECTIONS

Venues that are permitted to establish “Sections” for gatherings as outlined above must establish assigned Sections that should be distinct and independent to prevent individuals within an assigned Section from entering other Sections and/or co-mingling with the individuals from other Sections. For the purposes of this guidance, “Sections” must be established as follow:

The use of Sections is permitted for indoor/outdoor venues with fixed seating. The capacity for each Section must be based on 50 percent of fixed-seating capacity for that individual area and must not exceed more than 250 individuals.
Each Section must maintain separate seating for each registered or reserved group or party, referred to as “Pods,” to manage occupancy and social distancing. Pods must be separated by a minimum of 6 feet on all sides.
No general admission, no “standing-room-only.” All guests must be pre-assigned to a designated seat.
Each Section must be separated from all other Sections by at least 25 feet on all sides.
Each Section must be established and demarcated as to ensure the boundaries and/or perimeters of each Section are readily identifiable
- Consider demarcating and “color-coding” Sections to make boundaries, accommodations, and concessions readily identifiable.
Each Section should be able to operate and function independently as to not allow, require, or necessitate individuals to migrate from or leave their Section:
- Each Section should maintain separate entrances and exits to avoid spaces being shared or utilized by individuals from other Sections. If separate entrances and exits cannot be achieved for each individual area, a venue MUST stagger the entrance and exit times for individuals to avoid congregation, congestion, or bottlenecking that does not allow for proper social distancing.
  - Provide multiple designated entrances and exits for each Section whenever possible to further limit congregation and congestion.
- Each Section should minimize shared use of restroom facilities to avoid being used by individuals of other Sections
- Each Section should minimize shared use of concessions, merchandizing, amenities and similar merchants to avoid being used by individuals of other Sections.
- Venue employees and staff MUST be restricted to working in one Section during a gathering.

Provided all of the requirements under this guidance can be met, venues should consider increasing the number of Sections with fewer individuals in each Section, rather than having a reduced number of Sections with a higher number of individuals in each Section, to more
effectively maintain social distancing within each Section.

***If a gathering host or venue is unsure of what the fire code capacity is for the location, contact local government officials.

PODS: Protocols for Seating and Assignments

A “Pod” refers to a reserved or registered party of no more than 6 individuals, all of whom should be members of the same household. In order to maintain social distancing and manage occupancy, each Pod is limited to 6 individuals for all seated gatherings. Each Section must maintain separate seating for each Pod, with a required minimum of 6 feet around and between each Pod.

Ensure seats are reserved, assigned, and marked to provide for proper social distancing and separation between Pods. There MUST be a minimum of 6 feet around and between each Pod, creating staggered seating to ensure individuals/individuals are not seated directly next to, in front of, or behind other individuals/individuals or Pods.
Venues are prohibited from mixing parties, or seating individual registrants into one Pod.
- EXAMPLE: A group of 4 individuals register together and is deemed a Pod. The venue cannot use the 2 other seats to place an individual who registered separately outside of that party of 4.
Instruct individuals to remain seated whenever possible.
Delineate seating areas by limiting chairs, marking or taping seating or tabletop areas, or using identifiable seat assignments.
Keep aisle-seats and margins around Pod areas open as to ensure proper social distancing for seated individuals from individuals and workers walking up and down aisles.
Assign ushers, monitors, and/or security personnel to monitor social distancing, as well as support the orderly seating and exiting to maintain social distancing and minimize congestion

Trade Shows, Conferences, Conventions, Professional Seminars & Similar Gathering Activities

A gathering such as a conference, convention, trade show, professional seminar, or similar gathering activity may take place in a venue in accordance with the capacity limit of 50 percent or 250 individuals, whichever is less, if all the guidance is followed.

A host or venue may hold a conference, convention, trade show, professional seminar or similar gathering activity for more than 250 individuals, but no more than 1,000 individuals, if they can meet the following requirements:

The venue has the ability to separate the gathering’s individuals into separate rooms that hold no more than 250 individuals or 50 percent capacity, whichever is less.
Venue employees and staff MUST be restricted to working in one individual area during the entirety of a convention, conference, trade show, professional seminar, or similar gathering activity.
Each individual area must include floor to ceiling walls.
Each individual area should maintain separate entrances and exits to avoid spaces being shared. If separate entrances and exits cannot be achieved for each individual area, a venue MUST stagger the entrance and exit times for individuals to avoid congregation, congestion, or bottlenecking that does not allow for proper social distancing.
All individuals must be pre-registered. Consider using “color-coding” or another identifier for each group in the convention to help ensure individuals do not comingle outside of their groups.
Shared use of restroom facilities should be minimized to avoid use by individuals in other groups.
Shared use of concessions, merchandizing, amenities and similar merchants should be minimized to avoid use by individuals in other groups.
Prepare and submit a “Large Gathering Venue COVID-19 Preparedness & Safety Plan” to the local health authority where the gathering is going to take place for review and confirmation that the plan meets the local public health standards and will not place an unacceptable burden on the local public health infrastructure. Upon review and confirmation by the local health authority, the Plan should then be forwarded to the appropriate State oversight authority for final review and approval.

EXAMPLE: A group wants to host a conference for 600 individuals, but the venue only has 6 rooms with a maximum occupant capacity of 200. Since 50 percent of 200 is 100, the venue could only accommodate this convention if they split up the 600 individuals into 6 rooms of 100 individuals each.

***No plan will receive approval if it does not meet all requirements intended to prevent the local public health system from being overwhelmed.

BASELINE GUIDANCE FOR ALL GATHERINGS:

All gatherings, regardless of size as outlined above, must comply with Emergency Directive 033 and the accompanying guidance below. The infection prevention measures outlined in this guidance are most effective when applied together. Our ability to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 solely depends on the ability of each business and event organizer to ensure the implementation of these measures, in addition
to the sincere commitment and willingness of all employees and individuals to properly comply with and consistently adhere to them in order to protect themselves, their families and communities.

COVID-19 GATHERING TEAM LEAD: All gatherings should assign a staff or volunteer lead to be responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns. All staff and attendees should know who this person or office is and how to contact them.

SOCIAL DISTANCING & ACTIVITIES AT GATHERINGS

Limit the number of individuals allowed within the venue at one time, and do not exceed the required percentage of occupant capacity or maximum number of individuals allowed under Emergency Directive 033.
Ensure all venues, including outdoor venues, maintain established and well-defined boundaries as to promote well-controlled access, ingress/egress, and occupancy. Further limit and/or restrict areas within the venue that are accessible by individuals.
Consider metering of individuals to limit congregation of crowds.
Ensure 6 feet or more distancing between all individuals or parties/groups (“Pods”) of no more than 6 individuals, all of whom should be members of the same household.
Give reminders to observe 6 feet physical distancing before, during, and after gatherings.
Individuals often exchange handshakes, fist bumps, and high-fives at meetings and sporting events. Display signs (physical and/or electronic) or make announcements that discourage these and other types of physical interactions during the event.
Individuals must not be allowed to linger or socialize in lobbies, common areas, hallways, restrooms, ticket counters, concession counters, etc.
Consider restricting the use of elevators to individuals with limited mobility or physical disability who are unable to use stairways (or escalators, if provided), unless social distancing can be maintained within elevator cabs.
Modify activities that generally involve close contact between individuals to safely increase physical distance between individuals from different households.
Presentation of items such as certificates, trophies, awards, and ribbons must incorporate social distancing practices, reduce hand-to-hand contact, and incorporate good sanitation practices.
Consider removing games or activities that require or encourage standing around, congregating, or shared materials. This includes things like board or recreational games, bouncy houses, ball pits, or amusement booths or rides at fairs.
Limit the areas accessed by individuals (e.g. “Employees Only”, “Authorized Personnel Only”), as well as the equipment, products, or items touched by the individuals while in a venue.
Venues MUST have sufficient staff to ensure compliance with guidance and to enforce social distancing and face covering requirements.
Gathering and venue hosts/organizers must ensure all other requirements within this guidance are followed.

MANAGE FLOW OF INDIVIDUALS

To ensure compliance with social distancing requirements, an event should have more than one entrance and exit to prevent congestion among individuals. If multiple entrances and exits cannot be achieved, venues MUST stagger the entrance and exit times for individuals to avoid congregation, congestion, or bottlenecking that does not allow for proper social distancing.
Aisles between seating, to and from restrooms, or to other event locations must be clearly marked with directional instructions and social distancing reminders.
Establish single-direction traffic flow in and out of venue and seating areas.
Operate on a one-in-one-out basis when at capacity. Consider metering at entrance and exit areas.
Staff, vendors, performers, entertainers & competitors should use a separate entrance and exit than individuals where possible.
Indoor venues may rely upon the confines of the building/structure so long as ingress and egress in and out of the venue can be effectively managed and controlled.
Outdoor venues must ensure perimeters are established by means that will allow for the ingress and egress in and out of the venue to be effectively controlled. Examples include fixed barriers, whether permanent or temporary, such as adjacent buildings, walls, fencing, gates, barricades, retaining walls, or natural barriers that prohibit access into the venue.
Designate volunteers or staff to manage the flow of individuals at a gathering, including working to ensure there is proper social distancing and congestion is avoided.

ARRIVAL/ENTRANCE PROCEDURES

Create a queue at entrances that ensures a minimum of 6 feet of physical distancing between individuals and pace entry to prevent congestion.
Ensure adequate distance is established between checkpoints (e.g. ticketing, security, medical) as to ensure proper social distancing between individuals and minimize congestion of individuals waiting to enter the venue.
For venues with multiple event-times, stagger event times to minimize individuals from different events arriving simultaneously and congregating with one another.
Schedule arrival times for longer than their typical duration to minimize the congregation of individuals waiting. Establish staggered admission-times, entry-times and durations to minimize overlap and congregating of individuals at checkpoints (e.g. access points, security checkpoints, admission areas, concession areas).
- Prescheduling individually assigned arrival times (e.g. seating furthest from entrances permitted to enter earlier) is strongly recommended.
Provide and assign “drop off” areas to allow for individuals within the same party (Pod) to be dropped off at their designated entrance to the venue to minimize the number of individuals walking through parking ramps, parking areas, sidewalks, and walk-ways.
Enhance security protocols for entry to allow for more efficient security-checks of individuals, minimize face-to-face interaction between security personnel and individuals, and minimize wait-times (e.g. metal-detectors, scanners, transparent baggies for personal items, etc.)

SCREENINGS:

All gathering venues should provide contactless temperature screenings for individuals, provided congestion at entry can be avoided. At minimum, venues MUST ensure all individuals respond to COVID-19 screening-survey questions upon arrival and check-in.

Decline to allow admittance to any individual if they have a confirmed temperature of 100.4° Fahrenheit, or if there is any suspicion that they are sick or symptomatic, or if they say “yes” to any of the COVID-19 screening-survey questions. They should be advised to leave the business or gathering. If the individual is a member of a party or group (“Pod”) at the venue, the entire group must also be declined admittance.
- Recommendation: Prior to the start of the gathering, email or text a screening survey in advance of the event and/or post screening questions at the entrances and access-points of the venue.
Position medical screening as close as possible to a individual’s point of entry onto the property and conduct medical screening immediately prior to entering the venue, as to minimize symptomatic individuals comingling with non-symptomatic individuals during the admission process.
- Workers assigned to perform medical screenings must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (e.g. gowns, surgical masks, eye/face-protection, gloves).

TICKETING, BOOKING, REGISTRATION & CANCELLATION:

*Review guidance for “Gathering Spaces & Venues (2,500 Occupant Capacity or Less)”, “Large Gathering Spaces & Venues(2,500 Fixed Seating Capacity or More)” and “Trade Shows, Conferences… etc.” for specific registration requirements.

Collect contact information for guests or individuals through ticket sales, reservations, RSVPs, or having sign-in sheets. Include times of arrival and departure, to help with potential exposure notification.
Tickets for adjacent seating can only be purchased for parties of no more than 6 individuals (“Pods”), all of whom should be members of the same household.
Provide generous and flexible cancellation policies so that if guests start experiencing symptoms, they can cancel.
Consider establishing a process for providing refunds for individuals who are not able to attend due to considerations related to COVID-19

EXITING PROCEDURES

When groups of individuals are leaving a single venue, unseat individuals in an orderly fashion, starting with those closest to the exit and ending with those farthest from the exit.
Provide for additional exits and allow for individuals to exit the venue through the closest available exit rather than a limited number of exits that create congestion and interfere with social distancing.
Designate and demarcate one-way traffic-flows to mitigate congestion and crowding.
Assign ushers, monitors, and/or security personnel to monitor social distancing, as well as support orderly seating and unseating to maintain social distancing and minimize congestion.

SEATING & FLOOR PLAN RESTRICTIONS

Seating in groups should only be for parties of no more than 6 individuals, all of whom should be in the same household. Seating at gatherings should be spaced by 6 feet between individuals in different parties to reduce mingling and reinforce the necessary
social distancing protocols.
Assign ushers, monitors, and/or security personnel to monitor social distancing, as well as support the orderly seating and exiting process to maintain social distancing and minimize congestion.
Community benches, tables, booths, and seating that do not allow for proper social distancing should be removed or marked off to prevent use

SIGNAGE

Capacity Signage Requirement: Every business, venue and gathering space is now required to post their capacity limit under COVID-19 directives and guidelines at all public entrances.

Additional Signage:

Post signage at gathering venue entrances outlining established protocols. Consider utilizing signage with easy to interpret graphics in commonly used languages reminding everyone to maintain 6 feet of distance, wear masks, wash hands, etc.
Post instructions for individuals throughout the gathering venue at entrances, and inform individuals of:
- Capacity limits (see above);
- Prohibitions on entering a gathering if they are experiencing symptoms;
- Hygiene and social distancing instructions, signage, and markings; and
- Face covering requirements.

FOOD, BEVERAGE & CONCESSIONS
Please review the Food & Beverage Service guidance in addition to the protocols below.

Pursuant to the Food & Beverage Service Establishment guidance, buffets and self-service dining are prohibited. Buffet-style food service may be used if each buffet item is served by employees of the venue. Individually packaged or plated food service is highly
encouraged and preferred.
- Eliminate self-service stations that have multi-use utensils (such as hot dog roller tongs, bulk food bins and coffee urns) and implement touchless self-service wherever practicable. Venues are encouraged to maintain utensils behind the counter (e.g. napkins, straws, forks), and provide per order, as opposed to providing them at a condiments counter.
- Encourage unique concessions to provide delivery to seating areas. Consider delivering concessions directly to designated seating areas and Pod-assignments, as opposed to providing concessions at concession stands, if protocols can be established to protect the workers.
Ensure multiple ticket-counters, merchandise-counters, concession-counters, and drinkdispensers are separated to allow individuals to socially distance from one-another. When not feasible, install partitions or barriers in between counters or dispensers to separate individuals from one-another.
A walk-up bar at a gathering venue may be utilized if employees and individuals maintain 6 feet of social distancing. Congregation around a walk-up bar is prohibited. Tableside drink service is highly encouraged and preferred.
If a walk-up bar is utilized, consider a Plexiglas, plastic, or other partition be used to separate the bartender from the event’s individuals.
Remove or block off seating in concession areas and common areas to ensure social distancing. Individuals must take concessions back to assigned seating areas.
Food samples may be provided if prepackaged to consume later, or if they can be done in a “no-touch” way.
Limit menu items to those items which can be readily retrieved and/or quickly prepared to minimize congestion, lingering, and waiting. Consider “pre- assembled” order-groupings or orders to simplify ordering and minimize ordering and wait-times.
Do not refill popcorn, drinks, and other items using the same container – a new container should be provided.
Clearly mark floor and ground to delineate 6 -foot spacing for individuals in lines, and mark how foot traffic should move. Clearly mark closed tables not available for seating customers.
Clearly designate food or concession pick-up waiting areas with markers for proper distancing between parties.
Provide contactless payment options whenever possible. Consider using app-based ordering to minimize individuals having to linger and congregate in concession and merchandise areas.
Provide additional trash-receptacles to ensure and encourage trash is disposed quickly. Relocate trash receptacles to minimize individuals having to travel longer distances and through areas of congestion (e.g. providing trash- receptacles inside of the theater rather than in the hallway outside of the individual theater). Ensure that trash-receptacles are emptied regularly.
Venues should discontinue use of tablecloths, move to single-use, or remove and replace laundered tablecloths between individuals.
Disinfect any shared objects such as check presenters, laminated menus (if used), and pointof-sale machines thoroughly between uses.
Provide hand sanitizer near concession and food stands.
Post signage for employees and customers on good hygiene and other sanitation practices.
Make accommodations for individuals unable to adhere to mask and social distancing requirements, such as takeout, curbside or delivery.

LIVE ENTERTAINERMENT at GATHERINGS

Live entertainment, including live music, performances, competitions, and sporting events, etc. is allowed at gatherings, provided social distancing is maintained and all protocols are followed. Below is a summary of guidance for gatherings that include live entertainment.

Performers must have a dedicated space within a venue while performing. Gathering hosts and organizers MUST adopt seating and spacing modifications to allow for a minimum of 25 feet between individuals and the performer(s), competitor(s) or entertainer(s) on the
stage, field, etc.
These activities are only permitted by performers designated by the business at a designated space within the venue that is separate from the individuals or audience by a distance of at least 25 feet.
The venue operator for an event with multiple vendors and/or performers/competitors is responsible for ensuring all vendors/performance groups are aware of and adhere to COVID-19 policies and procedures.
Performers on-stage must maximize physical spacing between one another. Where necessary, implement alternative placement of performers. If spacing is not possible, in some situations it may be suitable to install barriers to minimize transmission of aerosolized particles.
Participants (e.g., players, performers, actors, competitors, entertainers, etc.) in events should have their temperature taken using a contactless method. If contactless temperature screenings are not possible, venues/gathering hosts MUST ensure all entertainment
participants respond to COVID-19 screening-survey questions upon arrival and check-in and verify that they have read the screening-survey and can respond “no” to all questions.
Disinfect high touch areas and equipment such as microphones, instruments, and props between uses. They should not be shared before cleaning is complete.
- Limit the number of speakers and make arrangements to maintain distance from others. Whenever possible, provide individual microphones for multiple speakers. If a microphone must be shared, clean between speakers or leave it untouched on a stand.
Deploy plexiglass barriers where appropriate.
Avoid performance-related demonstrations, exercises, and activities that involve interaction between workers and individuals that conflict with social-distancing practices.
Extend intermission-times to reduce congestion in exits, corridors, restrooms, and concession areas.
Fan-events such as “meet and greet” celebrity-fan interactions, back-stage passes, and after-show guests are strongly discouraged.
o Where backstage passes and after-show guests are granted, groups of individuals must be limited to small groups of no more than 6, and pathways and protocols must be preestablished to maintain social distancing between all individuals, including the individuals, and the individuals and celebrities/entertainers.
“Ambient” or “Background” music is exempted from the “Live Entertainment” guidance
- For the purposes of this guidance, “ambient” or “background” music is music used to create or enhance a mood or atmosphere that is incidental to the primary activity or location. It is intended to be an unobtrusive accompaniment to the main activity, such as dining at a restaurant or walking through a venue.

Example 1: A pianist playing music in the reception area of a hotel while guests check-in
Example 2: A singer performing at a restaurant while people dine.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: Music Activities & Performances

All performers are required to wear a face covering. The following exemptions for certain circumstances may apply:
- Vocal performers may temporarily remove face coverings during musical performances in businesses, public spaces, and theaters when a face covering cannot be worn due to the nature of the performance, as long as social distancing is always maintained. Face shields should be considered as an alternative in these situations.
- Musicians playing a musical instrument, such as a woodwind or brass instrument, may remove their face covering during an indoor practice or performance if the face covering cannot be used while playing the musical instrument, provided that social distancing is always maintained.
- Conductors and musicians that are not playing woodwind or brass instruments are required to wear a face covering at all times.
During rehearsal and performances, vocal performers must be separated a minimum of 6 feet from each other; encourage more distance if possible. A distance of 12 feet between performers is recommended when performances are indoors and performers are not wearing face coverings.
Reduce the number of singers and performers in ensembles whenever possible.
Give preference to outdoor rehearsals and performances.
Avoid shared equipment where the mouth may come into contact with equipment (such as mouthpieces, microphones, etc.) and follow manufacturer’s instructions to clean thoroughly between uses. Disposable microphone covers are also an option.
Karaoke singing and open microphone events involving performances by individuals and visitors are not permitted.

*Research and the CDC suggest that activities like singing may project respiratory droplets in greater quantity and
over greater distance, increasing the risk of COVID-19 transmission, particularly with prolonged exposure.

BOOTHS OR VENDORS AT EVENTS & GATHERINGS:

- Allow spacing for vendor load-in and load-out such that vendors and staff can maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from each other.
- Create a single line of booths instead of double rows. If this is not possible, create at least a 16 foot thoroughfare between the two sides allowing for a single file, one-way path down the middle.
- Create one-way traffic flow through the booths to prevent crowding or mingling.
- Use ropes, cones or tape.
- Consider metering of individuals to limit congregation of crowds.
- Require staff to be designated to enforce social distancing.

FACE COVERINGS ARE REQUIRED

All individuals are required to wear a face covering unless they have an exemption outlined in Emergency Directive 024. This includes employees, venue hosts, vendors, individuals at booths, individuals, customers, etc.
Launder reusable face coverings before each daily use according to CDC guidelines to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Employees must:
- Maintain an adequate number of face-coverings during their shift or workday that allows the worker to exchange face-coverings as they become saturated, dirty, or compromised during use.
Employers must:
- Take reasonable steps to ensure that workers, customers, clients and visitors wear face coverings.
- Post signage detailing face covering policies for workers, customers, clients and visitors.
- Establish a protocol for accommodating workers who cannot wear a face covering due to an exemption in Emergency Directive 024.
- Establish a protocol for accommodating individuals or individuals who cannot wear a face covering due to an approved exemption in Emergency Directive 024.

HANDWASHING, CLEANING, SANITIZATION & RESTROOM FACILITIES

A gathering space or venue must ensure the regular cleaning and disinfection of all high-contact surfaces utilized during an event, including, without limitation, chairs, tables, counters, railings, door handles, and bathrooms.

Increase frequency of cleaning and sanitization of common touch points (doors, stairwell handles, light switches, elevator switches, etc.).
- Use cleaning products that are qualified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use against SARS-CoV-2 (N List here). Ensure that the length of time the product is in contact with the surface being sanitized follows manufacturer’s instructions. Many products require 10 minutes of contact time before the surface is considered sanitized and ready for use.
If soap and water are not readily available, employees and individuals can use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol and rub their hands until dry.
Install touchless hand sanitizing stations at entrances and in high-traffic areas.
Ensure ventilation at the venue must be operating properly. See CDC Guidance
- Ensure ventilation systems operate properly and increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible, for example, by opening windows and doors. Do not open windows and doors if doing so poses a safety or health risk to staff or individuals (e.g., risk of falling or triggering asthma symptoms).
- If portable ventilation equipment like fans are used, take steps to minimize air from them blowing from one person directly at another person to reduce the potential spread of any airborne or aerosolized viruses.
Make sure each piece of equipment (e.g. terminals, carts, touchscreens) is wiped down before and after each use by a individual, and dispose of the wipe accordingly. Examples include seating areas, rental equipment, vending-machines, automated teller machines (“ATMs”), touchscreens, and protective equipment.
Ensure high touch surfaces (e.g. seats, armrests, cup holders, tables, door handles, ticketing kiosks, touch screens) are being disinfected during timed intervals and between venues and events.
Increase cleaning and disinfection protocols and track with publicly posted cleaning logs.
Post clear signs notifying individuals and employees of hygiene and sanitation expectations, including not entering if they or anyone in their household is experiencing any symptoms of illness.
Avoid shared community materials, sign-in sheets, and writing utensils.
Ensure instrumentation, products, samples, and props are sanitized prior to use and in between handling by workers and individuals.

RESTROOMS

Consider shorter event duration times or limited admission windows to reduce the need for individuals to use restroom facilities, which can be a source of transmission. Restrooms should be fully operational to ensure social distancing and should employ touchless options and hourly cleaning.
Consider assigning staff to monitor number of individuals in a restroom at one time to prevent congestion.
Block off stalls and urinals with proper signage to support 6 feet between individuals. This may require reduced bathroom capacity or even only one person in a bathroom at a time. Limit the number of individuals who occupy the restroom at one time to allow for social
distancing.
Do not allow lines or crowds to form near the restroom without maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from other individuals. Post signs or markers to help individuals maintain the appropriate social distance of at least 6 feet.
Venues MUST ensure that open restrooms are:
- Operational with functional toilets.
- Cleaned and disinfected regularly, particularly high-touch surfaces such as faucets, toilets, stall doors, doorknobs, countertops, diaper changing tables, and light switches.
- Adequately stocked with supplies for handwashing, including soap and water or hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol (for staff and older children who can safely use hand sanitizer), paper towels, tissues, and no-touch trash cans.
If you are providing portable toilets, also provide portable handwashing stations and ensure that they remain stocked throughout the duration of the event. If possible, provide hand sanitizer stations that are touch-free.