The Cinematheque

Our 2020 programs take three forms:

• On-site day programs.
• Virtual programs.
• Blended programs combining socially distanced on-site activities and at-home projects and activities.

Both on-site and blended programs have been adapted to reduce participant crossover and ensure social distancing. All workshops and programs can be quickly adapted to run virtually if necessary. As a team, we have been working diligently to adapt our programming and operational plans to meet or exceed the health and safety guidelines developed by government agencies and health professionals.

School Programs:

Learning & Outreach can run limited in-person programs for small groups. The maximum number of students for in-person activities will depend on available space and ability to social distance, but in general there should be no more than 15 students per classroom. Blended programs will be prioritized whenever possible, and schedules should be planned to minimize time spent in the classroom while maximizing student learning and engagement. In the event of a positive COVID-19 test at any related site – the school, The Cinematheque’s theatre or offices – the program will either be rescheduled until the situation is resolved (at least 14 days later if there are no subsequent cases) or moved online.

Facilitators must adhere to the health and safety protocols required by British Columbia’s Ministry of Education as well as any specific restrictions required by the school and/or classroom. Additionally, facilitators will be required to:

• Wear a face covering, especially when moving through common spaces and hallways and during any situation where social distancing is compromised. Facilitators may only remove their face covering during demonstrations if they are able to remain socially distanced (at least 2 meters) from all participants. If a facilitator chooses to remove their face covering, they are expected to do so only for a short period of time (e.g. during the length of a presentation where a mask would impede understanding) and to wash/sanitize their hands immediately before and after.
• Require students and teachers to wear a face covering, except in cases where they are exempt due to health concerns.
• Maintain a social distance of at least 2 meters from all students, teachers, and staff whenever possible, and minimize situations or activities that make social distancing between facilitators and students/teachers impossible.
• Make efforts to conduct activities in well-ventilated areas or outside (e.g. ask to open windows).
• Wash/sanitize their hands regularly: at minimum, at the beginning and end of each workshop, after each break, and before and after touching their face covering.
• Sanitize all equipment thoroughly after use.

Facilitators and other staff will self-assess daily and will not come to work if they are exhibiting symptoms of common cold, influenza, COVID-19, or other respiratory disease.

Camps and Community Programs:

In addition to school programs, Learning & Outreach runs a variety of camps and community programs throughout the year. Format will depend on available facilities. As with school programs, the maximum number of participants for in-person programs will depend on available space and ability to social distance, but in general there should be no more than 15 participants per program. Blended programs will be prioritized whenever possible, and all programs can be quickly adapted to run virtually if necessary.

Facilitators must adhere to the health and safety protocols recommended by Worksafe BC’s protocols for child care and day camps as well as the specific regulations of our partners. Additionally, facilitators will be required to:

• Wear a face covering, especially during any situation where social distancing is compromised. Facilitators may only remove their face covering during demonstrations if they are able to remain socially distanced (at least 2 meters) from all participants. If a facilitator chooses to remove their face covering, they are expected to do so only for a short period of time (e.g. during the length of a presentation where a mask would impede understanding) and to wash/sanitize their hands immediately before and after.
• Require participants and guests to wear a face covering, except in cases where they are exempt due to health concerns.
• Maintain a social distance of at least 2 meters from all participants, partners, parents/caregivers, and guests when possible, and minimize situations or activities that make social distancing between facilitators and participants impossible.
• Make efforts to conduct activities in well-ventilated areas or outside (e.g. ask to open windows).
• Wash/sanitize their hands regularly: at minimum, at the beginning and end of each day, after each break, and before and after touching their face covering.
• Sanitize all equipment thoroughly after use.

Cleaning protocols:

• Chairs will be assigned and all surfaces and high-touch areas will be sanitized at the beginning and end of each day, after each break, and whenever visibly dirty.
• For activities requiring high-touch materials (e.g. pens and markers), enough materials will be provided so that participants do not have to share. In the event that participants must share equipment (e.g. laptops, cameras), equipment will be sanitized after each use.
• If a facilitator or participant is required to leave because they have exhibited symptoms of COVID-19, all surfaces, equipment, and areas with which they have come in contact will be thoroughly disinfected.
• Hand sanitizer, disposable non-medical masks, and disinfectant wipes will be available on-site at every program.

Additional protocols for camps and community programs:

• Meals will not be provided. Participants and facilitators will not be allowed to share food.
• Facilitators, participants, parents, and caregivers will not be allowed to enter program sites if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or have travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days or have been identified by public health as a close contact of a person with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
• If a participant exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, their parent or caregiver will be contacted immediately and they will be separated from other participants (and supervised by a designated facilitator wearing personal protective equipment) until they are picked up. Parents and caregivers must keep their children at home until they have been assessed by a health care provider to exclude COVID-19 or other infectious diseases, and their symptoms have resolved.
• If a facilitator or other staff member exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, they will be sent home and excluded from on-site work until they have been assessed by a health care provider to exclude COVID-19 or other infectious disease, and their symptoms have resolved.
• Signage will be posted at the entrance of all program sites reminding participants and facilitators not to enter if they are sick.
• PPE including non-medical masks and gloves will be available for staff and participants who request them, or they can bring PPE from home.

Further Information and Resources

The Cinematheque’s Learning & Outreach COVID-19 safety plan was developed in accordance with the Worksafe BC’s COVID-19 and Returning to Safe Operation - Phases 2 & 3 and COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for Child Care Settings. The Cinematheque has additional safety plans for re-opening its cinema and regular programming.

Participants, parents, and facilitators should review the following additional information:

• British Columbia COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tools and Guidelines.
  Worksafe BC guidelines on selecting and using masks.
• Worksafe BC Childcare and Day Camps: Protocol for Returning to Operation.