As ASK looks to responsibly resume programming in the near future, we recognize a need to craft an ongoing policy to effectively deal with potential variants/waves of COVID in the future. With that in mind, we have developed a framework for decision-making based on information from the CDC and the non-pharmaceutical interventions available to us and our patrons. ASK’s ventilation system has been upgraded to use the maximum rated filters available and portable HEPA filters are running in all public spaces. Windows/doors will be opened as weather allows for fresh airflow into the space.
ASK will continue to offer online options for our programming whenever possible as a way to make art accessible to the widest audience.
Below are the three tiers, the restrictions, and the conditions that trigger each. The staff of ASK will be monitoring the numbers on an ongoing basis and will make the determination on when to change tiers. Any change will be announced via email, social media, and on the website.
We hope this brings clarity and transparency around our decision-making process and that we can count on everyone who visits ASK to help keep our community safe.
🟢 Tier 1: Open
- No restrictions on number of patrons (limited by fire code)
- Food/drink allowed
- Masking optional
Conditions:
- Ulster, Dutchess, and Orange Counties Positive test rate below 2% (7-day rolling average) and trending down/flat
- Number of active cases in Ulster County under 100 and trending down/flat
🟡 Tier 2: Limited opening
- Restrictions on number of patrons – 15 in gallery, 50 in theater (maximum, actual limit dependent on configuration of seating), 5 in classroom
- No food/drink at any public events
- Masks required at all times for patrons, staff, and volunteers
Conditions:
- Ulster, Dutchess, and Orange Counties Positive test rate between 2-10% (7-day rolling average) and trending down/flat
- Number of active cases between 100-1,000 but trending down/flat
🔴 Tier 3: Closed
- ASK is closed to the public
Conditions:
- Ulster, Dutchess, and Orange Counties Positive test rate above 10% (7-day rolling average) and/or trending up
- Number of active cases >1,000 and/or trending up
Trending numbers may be used to preemptively move to a more advanced tier in anticipation of incipient waves. Trending numbers obtained by looking at past 5 datapoints using 7-day rolling average and determining sustained increase/decrease.
Other data will be used to provide context, e.g. New York City numbers in anticipation of a holiday weekend.
Data source: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view