As you are aware, the COVID-19 outbreak is continuing to progress throughout our province and beyond. On the news and through social media, we have been given some very valuable information which is assisting us to protect and guard our health.

I believe that our choirs throughout BC are using precautions to keep themselves as safe as possible. However, we have many seniors in our choirs and they are especially at risk right now. As a Federation of choirs, we need to be aware of suggested practices to prevent any danger to our choir members of contracting this disease.

Individual choirs will be deciding on how best to handle rehearsals and upcoming performances. I have received a copy of a letter sent to members of a choir in Vancouver. You may find the letter useful in correspondence with your choir.  You are free to adapt it for your own purposes if it is helpful.

As well, I have included a link which may be valuable in the unfortunate event that your performance is postponed or cancelled.  It is from Chorus Connection and is as follows: https://blog.chorusconnection.com/what-to-do-when-your-choral-concert-gets-canceled 

May you and your families continue to be in good health,

Janette Walker
BC Choral Federation President

Letter sample (with thanks to the Vancouver Men’s Chorus, sent to their members on March 9)

Good morning everyone,

The Board of Directors would like to make a statement to the membership regarding our group’s health and safety with the emerging coronavirus, COVID-19. As a large organization that is focused on meeting and singing together, and has members who would be particularly susceptible to the virus due to age or compromised immune systems, we must all be aware and take precautions to protect one another.

1. If you are feeling sick, do not attend rehearsal.

Rehearsals shall continue as scheduled

Membership absence policy will be relaxed until further notice

If you have flu-like symptoms, especially fever and dry cough, contact your doctor or clinic by phone and describe your symptoms.

2. Wash / sanitize your hands

The Board shall provide hand sanitizers and soap for handwashing at rehearsals

3. Cover your mouth, avoid touching your face, and limit contact

A tough one for those who love to hug, please be aware that others may wish to limit their physical contact

4. If you have recently visited a country with an outbreak, consider self-quarantining

The virus may not show any symptoms for up to 14 days

The Board will also be creating contingency plans for our out-of-town performances in ________ and outreach program in ___________, but for the moment things will be carrying on as planned. If you have any concerns you’d like to bring up, please feel free to email me. We will continue to assess the situation and provide updates to the membership.

BCCF-COVID