SAFETY OVERVIEW

The Little Theatre of Manchester continuously strives to improve our health and safety protocols. As such, we suggest you always check for updated requirements and restrictions at our SAFETY OVERVIEW page before attending a performance at Cheney Hall.

Please note, THE NUTCRACKER has specific health and safety protocols. Please read before purchasing tickets: Health & Safety: THE NUTCRACKER

2022: Proof of vaccination OR Negative Covid Test

UPDATED 11/01/21. Beginning in 2022, please be prepared to show your physical vaccination card or a photo of your card or provide a negative COVID test. We will provide specific requirements and procedures in early 2022. We strongly encourage all, who are able, to get vaccinated.

2022: SOCIAL DISTANCING

UPDATED 11/01/21. Beginning in 2022, we will no longer require socially distanced seating given our vaccination policy.

2021: masks

UPDATED 10/26/21. Based on the State's Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‘s guidance, we will still require patrons to wear a mask when entering Cheney Hall. Once in your seat, vaccinated individuals are not required to wear masks. Unvaccinated individuals must continue to wear masks. Outdoors, masks are not required to be worn by anyone. For more on masks, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Covid-19-Knowledge-Base/Wearing-Mask-in-Public

If you foresee and difficulty complying with these policies, please contact us by email or at (860) 647-9824.

 

Relaxed Refund Policy

We are SUSPENDING OUR NO REFUND POLICY for any tickets sold during this time. Feel unwell? Worried about coming out? Simply contact us to request a refund.

RESERVED SEATING

Our VIP and General seating sections will now be reserved seating, providing you a safe, comfortable experience.

 

AIR FILTRATION

Our heating and air conditioning system is reconfigured to EXCEED the World Health Organization’s and the CDC’s guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19. See more details below.

ENHANCED CLEANING

Our cleaning process is enhanced to frequently treat surfaces (including our seats) with products that kill COVID-19.

 

HELP FROM YALE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

On Tuesday, March 2, 2021, The Little Theatre of Manchester hosted faculty from the Yale School of Public Health along with members from Shoreline Arts Alliances. Dr. Sten Vermund, Dean, Yale School of Public Health, and (via video conference) his associate Dr. Krystal Pollitt, walked through Cheney Hall to review all the steps we have taken to make sure your next visit to Cheney Hall is a safe and healthy one. From addressing air quality concerns to approving our proposed seating arrangements, this group offered invaluable support and guidance and provided suggestions for the future. Based on this feedback, we feel very confident in our reopening plan.

 

These policies are only applicable to LTM sponsored plays, musicals or other booked events (e.g. concerts or dance performances) and are not applicable to private event rentals. For private event rentals, please refer to your event host for specific details.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES

The goal of LTM's Reopening Plan for Cheney Hall is to develop policies and procedures that will reduce the relative risk of contracting COVID-19 and boost constituent confidence in returning to Cheney Hall. The following are the guidelines used in the development of this plan:

  • Mitigation measures must be consistent with public health guidelines and timing recommendations.

  • Mitigation measures must be effective, manageable, consistent, and tenable.

  • Communication to patrons, volunteers, and artists must be transparent, empathetic, and meaningful.

  • Expectations regarding patron, volunteer, and artist responsibility for adhering to the venue’s guidelines must be effectively communicated.

  • Must be prepared to assess and adjust their operations based on changing circumstances.

  • Must remain ADA compliant when implementing mitigation measures.

AIR QUALITY, VENTILATION, AND FILTRATION FINDINGS

Summary

Based on a review of the available literature and research, and an evaluation of our own mechanical system, the Facilities Subcommittee found the following:

With MERV-13 filters and outside air intake at a minimum of 40%, at 9.9 ACH (air exchanges per hour), we exceed the State’s and the Actor’s Equity Association’s minimum requirement and, according to the AIHA, we are very near 99% relative risk reduction of contracting COVID-19.

There are costs to achieving these standards and those costs need to be considered against their relative benefit, especially given that these standards do not consider the effects of vaccine, masks, and other human behaviors.

What is required?

To comply with the State of Connecticut’s rules for reopening, we must “increase ventilation rates and increase the percentage of outdoor air that circulates into the system where possible.” (State of Connecticut, “Sector Rules for Reopening, Indoor Events and Indoor Performing Arts Theaters”, February 16, 2021)

The State’s rules do not give any specific metrics for increased ventilation and increased outdoor air, so we will look to other resources to help determine appropriate levels.

Increased Ventilation Rates

“Increasing the number of effective air changes per hour—essentially, increasing the amount of “clean” or outdoor air delivered to the room[*]—lowers the occupant’s level of exposure to airborne viruses and therefore his or her relative risk of contracting the disease.” (AIHA, “Reducing the Risk of COVID-19 Using Engineering Controls”, Version 4, September 9, 2020)
*Assumes other mitigation efforts in place (increasing outside air and increasing filtration)

For reference on how much to increase ventilation rate, the Actor’s Equity Association requires a minimum of six (6) air exchanges per hour (ACH). That is the number of times that 99% of the air in the room can be cycled by a mechanical HVAC system. This minimum is derived from publications by the AIHA, “the association for scientists and professionals committed to preserving and ensuring occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) in the workplace and community.” According to AIHA research, six (6) ACH will exceed the protection offered by an N95 respirator.

Using data and guidance from our HVAC maintenance provider, All Seasons Mechanical, we have calculated that Cheney Hall’s HVAC for the auditorium and stage can accommodate 9.9 ACH, exceeding the Equity’s an AIHA’s minimum requirement:

  • Estimated Cubic Feet of Cheney Hall Auditorium and Stage Area = 84,656

  • CFM (Cubic Feet Per Minute, a measure of airflow volume) of Air Handler Unit = 14,000

  • Air Exchanges Per Hour = 14,000 cfm x 60 minutes = 840,000 cf/hour = 9.9 ACH

Increased Outside Air

“Higher amounts of outdoor air brought into a space can dilute the indoor concentration of airborne virus, as well as help reduce the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air from enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices.” (A.R.T., “Roadmap for Recovery and Resilience for Theater”, Third Edition, February 1, 2021)

“Resetting the HVAC system’s fresh air intake to 100% or to the maximum allowed by the capabilities of the ventilation system by opening the outdoor air dampers as indoor and outdoor conditions permit will provide a high level of protection. However, it can raise heating and cooling costs unsustainably.” (Actors' Equity Association, “Covid-19 Safety Guidance”, March 2021)

Increased ACH is only effective in reducing relative risk if the air being exchanged into the space is fresh, outside air or filtered re-circulated air.

By disabling Cheney Hall’s HVAC’s demand control ventilation, 100% outside air intake can be achieved. At 100%, all air delivered into the space is outside air, while all air extracted from the space is vented outside through exhaust. However, with 100% outside air, in extreme cold or heat, the HVAC system cannot effectively control the climate, potentially making it mildly to extremely uncomfortable for guests. The balance between safety and comfort must be actively monitored and managed.

Filtering Re-Circulated Air

In addition to introducing outside air, filtering re-circulated air reduces relative risk.

“A Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) filter was originally developed to control what ASHRAE [The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers] deemed as ordinary dust. The standards for High Efficiency Particulate Filters (HEPA) were adopted by ASHRAE for MERV 17 to MERV 20 filters. These capture very small particles such as COVID-19 particles.” (Actors' Equity Association, “Covid-19 Safety Guidance”, March 2021)

Because must systems cannot accommodate MERV 17 or higher filters, recommendations are to use a minimum of MERV-13 filters, which capture a higher percentage of airborne particles than standard filters.

Used in combination, outdoor air and filtered re-circulated air can dilute and remove COVID-19 particles from the air. To achieve acceptable relative risk reduction, Equity recommends 40% outside air intake with the use of MERV-13 filters.

With MERV-13 filters and outside air intake at a minimum of 40%, at 9.9 ACH, we exceed the Equity’s minimum requirement and, according to the AIHA, are very near 99% relative risk reduction of contracting COVID-19.

Restrooms, Silk Room, and Dressing Rooms

Cheney Hall’s downstairs spaces are served by their own Air Handling Unit (AHU) and the same modifications noted for the auditorium and stage air AHUs can be made. Additionally, the restrooms do have a separate exhaust system that runs continuously.

However, given the size of the spaces and the potential density of the population, it is recommended that additional filtration, such as portable air cleaners with true HEPA filtration, be considered.

Additional Considerations

  1. Fans and open windows: With a mechanical ventilation system in place, using fans or windows is not recommended:

    1. Air can blow in or out, but there is no internal system for filtering the air.

    2. The weather must be relied on for it to be good enough to leave the windows open.

    3. Fans create turbulence and there is no internal system for filtering the air.

    4. The noise introduced into the space will be disruptive.

  2. Buffers: It is important to make sure that HVAC system operating hours extend to cover any hours when people may be in a building, as well as some buffer hours before and after the building is occupied each day.

  3. CO2 Monitoring: “Occupants in a space exhale CO2, and the concentrations can be used to approximate the rate of outdoor air supply in a space” (A.R.T., “Roadmap for Recovery and Resilience for Theater”). We have a ground-level standalone monitor and a monitor with the HVAC’s re-circulated air duct. We can utilize these to help determine “air quality,” looking for rates of <800 ppm of CO2 in the air.

  4. Ultraviolet Germicidal Lights for Air Cleaning: Based on recommendations from Yale School of Public Health, we will not pursue this option given that the questionable efficacy of the solution.

LIST OF RESOURCES