New Columbia Swing COVID Policies and FAQs
Last update: December 20, 2023
As we all navigate a landscape of pandemic emergence, we want you to know what to expect. Here is a summary of our current policies around vaccination, mask wearing, and everything you need to know to help protect your fellow dancers and yourself. New Columbia Swing is committed to access, including for our most medically vulnerable community members. In light of changing conditions, we review these policies monthly at minimum.
This page reflects our current policies, and supercedes any signage or other information you may see on other sites. These policies are subject to change as the situation evolves.
Our Policies
- Proof of vaccination is no longer required at NCS events. We strongly encourage all our attendees to stay up-to-date with annual vaccination against COVID-19 and influenza. A recent COVID infection does not substitute for vaccination.
- Mask-wearing is currently optional but recommended at our events. Rude comments or behavior towards those who choose to wear masks will not be tolerated. As always, any attendee at our events is welcomed to politely turn down any dance for any reason, and those who are turned down are expected to move on with good grace.
- We continue to monitor COVID-19 data and reserve the right to reinstitute a mask-required policy at any time. That means wearing a mask when you are indoors (as well as when you are outdoors in our main activity spaces, such as the Bumper Car Pavilion). When a mask-required policy is in place, we ask that you go outdoors before taking off your mask for any reason, including to drink water or take a break.
- We continue to monitor COVID-19 data and reserve the right to reinstitute a vaccination-required policy at any time. Full vaccination means it must have been at least two weeks since you completed the the initial course (1 or 2 doses as indicated) of an FDA-authorized vaccine, or internationally-approved equivalent. A recent COVID infection does not substitute for vaccination.
- At times when that the CDC classifies community transmission as "high" in DC or surrounding counties, New Columbia Swing requires that high-quality masks be worn by all attendees. New Columbia Swing classifies "high-quality" as an N-95, N-100, KN-95, KF-94 or other similarly high-filtration mask that is well-fitted to the face.
- We use the DancerVax vaccine verification system to check vaccination records. You are encouraged to upload your record to DancerVax so that it can be verified ahead of time, and so that it only needs to be examined once. You can see further instructions below.
- If you are not registered with DancerVax, you are also welcome to bring a physical copy or a photo of your vaccination card to be reviewed at the door.
- Pre-registration is highly encouraged, but is not currently required. We will be collecting name and email address information for all attendees, including those who sign up at the door, for contact tracing purposes.
- Please practice good hygiene, including regular hand washing or use of hand sanitizer. We will provide hand sanitizer at our events.
- Whenever possible, depending on the venue, we'll have fans on and windows open for maximum ventilation.
- If you are exhibiting COVID symptoms, or if you believe that you may have had recent exposure to COVID and have not yet received a negative test result, or if you are exhibiting symptoms of any other communicable illnenss, please do not attend our events. We are happy to process a refund for anyone who cannot attend for these reasons; email us at info@newcolumbiaswing.org
- Complying with the COVID Policies listed on this page is part of our Code of Conduct, which you agree to by attending our events. If you violate any part of the Code of Conduct, including our COVID Policies, you will be asked to change your behavior, leave, or be banned permanenty. We're serious about COVID stuff—don't mess around with people's health.
How to use DancerVax:
- Go to https://dancervax.org/.
- Create an account with DancerVax, either by using your email address and a password or by linking to your Google or Facebook account.
- Check your inbox for a verification email. Click on the link in the verification email to confirm your email address.
- Log in to DancerVax, upload your vaccination record, and fill out the associated form.
- Once your record has been reviewed and approved, you will receive a final verification email. You're all set!
NOTE: New Columbia Swing is not currently permitting exceptions to full vaccination for any purpose. If you enter a medical or religious exemption into DancerVax, this will not permit you to attend NCS events.
Additional Questions
Still have questions? Please contact us at info@newcolumbiaswing.org. We’ll see you soon on the dance floor!
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