What Level 3 means for Galway Community Circus and our Members

As promised, we want to give you a little more information for what it means for member classes at level 3 restrictions. As a member of Youth Theatre Ireland, Galway Community Circus is a ‘Youth Service’ organisation, which falls under the responsibility of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs...read more...

This means that legally the Circus follows the DCYA Guidance regarding the different levels of restrictions in place regarding Covid19. The following is communication received from Youth Theatre Ireland regarding level 3.

We are advised to continue to follow the DCYA Guidance. You can read the full guidance here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/58393-guidance-for-youth-organisations-on-resuming-full-services-after-covid-19/

Guidance for the youth work sector falls under Section 14: Schools, Early Learning and Childcare Services, Adult and Higher Education in the Government’s Plan: Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19

At Level 3, the DCYA guidance states that youth services / youth clubs (including youth theatres) can continue to do small group work with groups of 15 (including leaders) as long as the venue is large enough to maintain social distancing and at least 1 metre physical distancing is maintained at all times.

The Arts Unit at the Department for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht confirmed their approval for our continued adherence to the DCYA guidelines in September, and they responded (email below):

The Department of Children & Youth Affairs is the authority on all matters in relation to children and they have issued and updated their guidelines in light of the roadmap which are available here https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/58393-guidance-for-youth-organisations-on-resuming-full-services-after-covid-19/ and which should be adhered to when it comes to any organised activity in relation to children.

What this now means for you and the Circus is this:

Level 3 and Galway Community Circus, Official Guidance for youth work organisations:

May operate groups of up to 15 including tutors

May operate multiple groups if sufficient space and strict public health protocols are in place

There should be no mixing between groups

Wearing of face coverings for young people over 13 years of age, with limited exceptions for medical reasons or special needs

Fleas (5-7yrs) and Juniors (8-11yrs): Maximum capacity of 15 including Tutors. Tutors to wear masks. Parents asked to take the temperature of their child prior to attending Circus classes.

Tweenies (12-14yrs): Maximum capacity of 15 including Tutors. Tutors & Participants to wear masks. Parents asked to take the temperature of their child prior to attending Circus classes.

Seniors (15-17yrs): Maximum capacity of 15 including Tutors. Socially distant training with no sharing of equipment. Tutors & Participants to wear masks. Participants asked to take their temperature prior to attending Circus classes.

Pierrot (18-25yrs): Maximum capacity of 15 including Tutors. Socially distant training with no sharing of equipment. Tutors & Participants to wear masks. Participants asked to take their temperature prior to attending Circus classes.

Youth Aerial & Acro / Specialised classes: Individual training: Participants to stay in their personal dedicated zone, with their dedicated apparatus for the duration of the class. A 2-meter distance is maintained at all times. The tutor will demonstrate and work with each person's individual learning objectives. Parents asked to take the temperature of their child prior to attending Circus classes. FACE MASKS: recommended for 8 to 12, and compulsory for 13+

Adult Aerial & Acro: Individual training: Participants to stay in their personal dedicated zone, with their dedicated apparatus for the duration of the class. A 2-meter distance is maintained at all times. The tutor will demonstrate and work with each person's individual learning objectives. Participants asked to take their temperature prior to attending Circus classes. Face Masks are compulsory.

Training space: Individual training: Participants to stay in their personal dedicated zone, with their dedicated apparatus for the duration of the class. A 2-meter distance is maintained at all times. The tutor will demonstrate and work with each person's individual learning objectives. Parents asked to take the temperature of their child prior to attending Circus classes. FACE MASKS: recommended for 8 to 12, and compulsory for 13+

Toddler Circus: 2 groups of 5 households divided by the floor to ceiling curtain. The groups are set for the remaining of the term (3 weeks) and not mixing.

Family Circus: 2 groups of 5 households divided by floor to ceiling curtain. The groups are set for the remaining of the term (3 weeks) and not mixing.

Galway Community Circus has sufficient space to maintain social distancing and strict public health protocols and cleaning procedures are in place that are carried out throughout the day and after every class. You may request more information on this at any time. Additionally, please keep your child or yourself at home if you have a temperature or cough and we would ask all parents dropping their children off for classes to wear masks and smile with your eyes!

If you want to talk anything through or need more information on anything regarding our safety protocols, please do feel free to drop us a mail and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Stay Positive, Stay Healthy, Stay Happy,

Stay Circus our wonderful community!

Galway Community Circus Team