Following on the announcement of the Roadmap to Reopen framework announced by Premier Doug Ford on Thursday, OC worked with a group of colleague organizations across the performing arts to frame some specific recommendations to the province on next steps. Those recommendations have now been shared with Premier Ford and colleagues in key cabinet positions.
Specifically, we are asking that the Province:
1. Allow concert venues and theatres to reopen for live streaming or recording without an audience as soon as the Stay-at-Home order ends, i.e. 12:01 a.m. on June 2. (Currently, this activity will not be allowed until July 5 at the earliest, as part of Step 2.)
2. Consult with the sector directly and in a timely way to establish capacity limits in steps two and three of the reopening plan so that venues and presenters can plan, hire artists and staff, and start selling tickets.
3. Focus on proven ways to keep artists and workers safe: specifically, dropping the requirement for impermeable barriers when singers, wind and/or brass players are present; and enabling cost-effective access to rapid testing.
If you support its content, please feel free to share this letter with your MPP(s) and urge them to raise these issues with their colleagues at Queen’s Park.