While COVID-19 hotspots like Toronto, Ottawa, and Peel Region revert back to stage 2, dance studio owners are claiming they’re being unfairly targeted after being included on the new list of closures.
The stage 2 closures put out by the Ontario Government includes dance studios being listed under the category of “adult fitness classes”. Studios are claiming that they are being treated unfairly because there are no other children’s sports and activities on the list and not a single case of COVID-19 has been reported for a dance studio in Ontario thus far.
600 studios across the province have united during the pandemic to form Dance Safe Ontario. This group collaborates together to ensure their staff and students are as safe as possible while dancing. The studios have all signed and agreed to follow the guidelines that were developed. This way, every dance studio that is part of Dance Safe Ontario is maintaining a certain standard.
Jane Elliot, studio owner of Ballet Etc.. Studio for the Arts says they are going above and beyond, as there were no specific provincial guidelines given for dance studios when re-opening.
“Parents at the studio come in and say that dance is by far the safest environment. They are thrilled with everything that’s been put in place and far safer than some of the other activities that kids are doing.”
Dance Safe Ontario has implemented many changes to how dance studios operate, such as:
- Taping 6×6 squares in each studio with 2 feet between them so students have a designated area to dance safely away from each other.
- Staggered entrances so students come in various doors to avoid overlap.
- Every student brings their own bin with any equipment they might use, and brings it home at the end of each night.
- Sanitizing floors, ballet bars, and every touch surface between every class. And sanitizing every other touch area in the building such as washrooms, doorknobs, etc every 20-30 minutes.
Social media post created by Ontario dance studios to raise awareness
- Temperature checks and health screening.
Although the entire province has not yet been reverted to stage 2, Elliot says the pandemic has already affected studios enough and if they are forced to close again, the future may not look bright.
“Our enrolments are down, at least 50%. Our expenses are higher, for just cleaning protocols alone. If people don’t fight for keeping our business open, then we’re all going to lose. When this pandemic is over, we have to make sure that our kids have the activities that they love, continuing to operate.”
Another concern that raises interest is that outdoor classes will soon not be available for any fitness and sports teams as the weather is getting cooler.
With more Canadian kids being enrolled in dance than hockey (Kids’ Sports in Canada, 2020). Dance Safe Ontario has sent multiple proposals and petitions to the Ontario Government as early as March 28th to be removed from this list. But they are still pending.
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