Following the Government’s announcement on Monday 5 July we have reviewed our risk assessments and COVID-secure procedures. Our main priority is still to keep our customers, artists and staff safe while taking steps towards relaxing restrictions.
Update Tuesday 27 July: As the number of COVID cases in Stockton and the wider Tees Valley continues to remain high we have taken the decision to extend our current social distancing measures in place at ARC, including limits on capacity, for a further period of time. We can’t wait to welcome back audiences to the buzz of live performances with a full house, but we want to be sure the time is right when we do. Given the number of cases locally we don’t think the time is right yet and we want to guarantee that those people visiting us in the meantime can do so safely and with confidence.
This means that classes, screenings, and events will continue go ahead with reduced capacities in place until Sunday 22 August.
After this, from Monday 23 August, we still want to ensure everyone’s safety as we transition back towards full capacity, so the intention is to keep all our COVID-secure procedures in place while we do this. You can find out more about these which will remain in place at ARC for all customers, artists and staff below.
Face masks
When you visit ARC you will need to continue to wear a face mask. We are asking everyone coming into our building to continue wearing face masks to help reduce the risk of transmitting COVID to others. This will help us ensure a safe and successful transition back to full capacity events. All of our staff will also continue to wear a face mask while at ARC to help ensure everyone’s safety. These measures will remain in place until the number of new cases in Stockton and across the wider Tees Valley falls below 50 per 100,000.
Test and Trace
So we can continue to support the effort to trace close contacts and reduce the rate of new infections of COVID we will continue to display the NHS Test and Trace QR codes at the entrance to our building. We encourage everyone paying us a visit after restrictions are lifted to continue checking in using the app or leaving their details with our Box Office team to aid with Test and Trace.
Social distancing
All classes, screenings, and events taking place until Sunday 22 August will go ahead with 1m+ social distancing in place.
Wherever possible doors to our performance spaces will open 30 minutes before the advertised start time of the performance to reduce queuing and large crowds gathering in the foyer spaces.
We ask all customers to be aware of each other’s personal space, and maintain social distancing when queuing or moving around the building.
Hand sanitiser
Hand sanitiser dispensers will remain in place around the building, we ask anyone visiting ARC to continue to make use of these as they move through the building. These are great for helping reduce the spread of cold and flu too, not just COVID.
Cleaning procedures
We have always prided ourselves on maintaining a clean building, but introduced additional cleaning regimes to ensure we were COVID secure. These included more regular cleaning of door handles, banisters, tables, chairs, and other regularly touched surfaces. These measures will remain in place.
Protective screens
Protective screens will remain in place at the Box Office, and on our bars.
E-tickets
E-tickets (emailed to your phone) were introduced to minimise contact between staff and customers, and we will continue to use e-ticketing across all our events and activities. Please select the e-ticket option when buying your tickets if you can.
Contactless and Card Payments
Contactless and card only payments were also introduced to minimise contact. ARC will continue to only accept payment at the Box Office, No 60 café bar and bar by debit or credit card – cash will not be accepted.
If you do not have a bank account, please talk to our Box Office staff about alternative forms of payment.
Online Access to Events and Activities
We know that not everyone is able to, or comfortable to return to, the building yet. We will continue to offer online access to as many of our live events, workshops and classes as possible.
Risk assessments
We have a rigorous system of risk assessments in place for everything we do, and these are regularly reviewed and updated. We will continue to consider COVID as a risk when looking at the controls and mitigations we need to put in place.
If you have any concerns, please get in touch with our Box Office team by calling 01642 525199 or by emailing [email protected] or email our Operations Director, Shaun Dowd on [email protected]