What do the Three Tiers mean for Learn To Dance?

A number of students have contacted us since the announcement of the new Three Tier COVID alert levels in England. You’ve been asking us whether we may be required to close, or you may be unable to visit us.

Our dance studio is located within the South Bucks area. The tier applicable to our area is separate to Windsor & Maidenhead or Slough (which has today moved into Tier 2). You can check what tier a particular area is in on the gov.uk website.

The main points applicable to Learn To Dance within the Three Tiers are as follows:

Tier 1 (Medium Level)

• Areas where national restrictions continue to be in place
  • no socialising in groups larger than 6, indoors or outdoors. Our Covid procedures ensure no groups larger than 2 are formed
  • businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-secure manner
  • exercise classes can continue to take place indoors if the rule of 6 is followed.
  • you must wear a face mask in areas where this is mandated. You are not required to wear a mask when dancing. But we do require masks on arrival, when leaving, and in communal areas.
  • you should continue to follow social distancing rules

Tier 2 (High Level)

• changes include:
  • you must not socialise with anybody outside of your household or support group indoors. Our Covid procedures currently allow for fixed partnerships. However if either of the partner moves into Tier 2 this will no longer be allowed.
  • businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-secure manner
  • exercise classes can continue to take place indoors if it is possible for people to avoid mixing. Unless this is with people they live with or share a support bubble with

Tier 3 (Very High)

• changes include:
  • exercise classes can still continue indoors if it is possible for people to avoid mixing. However please see details about additional restrictions below.
  • you should try to avoid travelling outside the very high alert level area you are in. You should also avoid entering a very high alert level area.

Additional restrictions in the Three Tiers guidance may be added in consultation with local authorities. Therefore Learn To Dance will only be required to close if the local authority deem it necessary. However we will review the situation if local areas begin to move into Tier 3.

In summary, we can stay open

Learn To Dance follow sufficient COVID-secure procedures to continue to remain open throughout all three tiers under current government guidelines.

However if you live in an area that moves into Tier 3 you may be asked to avoid group sessions.

Those currently forming a fixed partnership will not be permitted to continue that partnership if either partner lives in a Tier 2 (or above) area.

We will continue to review the ongoing situation and make any required adjustments to ensure a COVID-secure environment can be maintained.