January 31, 2022 | Important Updates to COVID Safety Protocols

Dear Students,

It has been such a joy to have so many of you back in person, and to see the studios and concert halls filled again with your artistry. From the Focus Festival, to Drama’s production of Indecent, to Jazz student compositions, to Bach with Historical Performance and Vocal Arts in Tully (in a snowstorm no less!), to the early stages of Spring Dances preparation, it’s been an inspiring week.

At this time, we are happy to let you know that we are once again able to make significant adjustments to our COVID safety protocols. Cases in the city have fallen considerably, as have hospitalizations, and last week our on-campus positivity rate for testing was below 1%. As a result, effective tomorrow, Tuesday, February 1, we will be returning to protocols for performance activities that are similar to those we had for most of last fall semester—details are below. While this is a significant step in the right direction, it’s critical to note that we will continue to require mask wearing when moving around the building, in classroom settings, backstage before and after concerts, and in many cases throughout the rehearsal period leading up to a performance. We continue to strongly urge you to upgrade to KN-95 masks, which are available free of charge at the Public Safety desk for anyone who needs one.

In addition, testing and boostering will remain an important part of our protocols, and will be strictly enforced. As always, the following adjustments are subject to change at any time depending on the health conditions either within New York City, or here at Juilliard.

Thank you for your continued attention and diligence in keeping our community safe.

Sincerely,

Adam Meyer
Provost

 

Updated COVID Safety Protocols:

Testing

Twice weekly testing will continue this week and next week (the week of February 7), and LabQ will continue to provide both PCR and Rapid tests simultaneously. The testing plan for future weeks will be announced. If you test on campus, you should plan to test on Monday or Tuesday, and then again on Wednesday or Thursday. If you test off-campus, you must test twice between Sunday and Thursday of each week, and be sure to submit your PCR test results via this form. Testing hours at Juilliard will be 9:30am - 2:15pm Monday through Thursday.

Contact Tracing and Isolation

Any positive test must be reported to the school via this form so that our COVID response team can conduct contact tracing, as well as provide isolation and future testing instructions. Juilliard will continue to follow CDC and New York City Department of Health (NYCDOH) guidelines for isolation and quarantine requirements of positive cases and close contacts. Please note that the NYCDOH does require a quarantine period for any close contact who is unvaccinated or who is eligible for, but has not yet received, a booster shot.

Boosters

For those who are currently eligible for a booster, you were required to receive and submit proof of your booster shot no later than January 15, 2022. For those who were not eligible for a booster by January 15, you must receive your booster no later than seven days after becoming eligible.  If you are eligible and have not yet submitted proof of booster, you should contact [email protected].  Please note that many outside performance venues require performers to have had booster shots, so non-compliance could jeopardize your performance opportunities.

Masks

At this time, masking is required in all areas of the Rose and Diamond buildings, with the following exceptions:

• All performers may choose to remove their masks for dress rehearsals, final staging rehearsals, and performances—the determination of when masks may be removed will be made and communicated by individual performance departments in consultation with the Office of the Provost.
• Singers and actors may now remove masks during any performance-related activities, including studio work, rehearsals, and performances.
• Bell covers are no longer required for winds/brass players.
• Please note that all performers are still required to wear a mask up to the moment they begin performing, and must replace the mask as soon as they finish.  Specifics about when a mask can be removed depend on the activity and situation—the rules for each type of performance will be communicated by the department ahead of time. If in doubt, wear your mask. It is especially critical to wear your mask at all times when backstage. Mask rules will be strictly enforced.
• Wind and brass faculty may remove masks to demonstrate in a lesson, but should wear a mask when not actively playing their instrument.
• Masks may be removed when you are working alone in a studio/office/classroom/practice room or in your residence hall room with the door closed.

Please note some additional important information regarding masks:

• Aside from the scenarios above, masks must continue to be worn by all students, faculty, and staff at all other times, including when moving around the building, in classroom settings, backstage before and after dress rehearsals and concerts, and in gathering spaces.
• Anyone, at any time, may choose to wear a mask voluntarily, including in performance. Nobody in any setting—including students in classroom, rehearsal, and performance contexts—should be asked to remove a mask or be penalized in any way for wearing a mask.
• Anyone with an approved vaccination exemption for medical or religious reasons is still required to wear a mask at all times, even in performance.
• Following a required isolation period due to a positive test, masking may be required for additional days, even in performance—this determination will be made and communicated to you by the COVID Response Team in keeping with CDC and NYS guidelines.
• Anyone identified as a close contact of a positive case will be required to wear a mask for a period of time—this determination will be made and communicated to you by the COVID Response team in keeping with CDC and NYS guidelines.
• When drinking or eating anywhere in the building, including in the student lounge or hallways outside studios, you must remain 6 feet away from others and you must replace your mask immediately when finished and between bites/sips.
• We strongly encourage the use of N95, KN95, or KF94 masks – KN95 masks are available at no charge to anyone in the community at the security desk.

Social Distancing

• At this time, social distancing is no longer required, including for wind and brass players, singers, and actors, though appropriate spacing (at least 4.5 feet is recommended) should be maintained whenever possible, or when performance conditions allow for it.

Time Limits, Occupancy, and Room Rest

• At this time, there are no limitations on room usage length or occupancy, and room rest is not required.

Dining Hall

• Beginning on Wednesday, February 2, the dining hall will resume in-person dining. Students are encouraged to limit large gatherings in the seating area and not to “table-hop.” Please continue to mask when not actively eating, and replace your mask as soon as you finish.

Juilliard Store

• The Juilliard Store will re-open for in-person shopping and browsing on Monday, February 7, with a capacity limit of 6 shoppers at a time. Hours are Monday to Friday 10:00am to 6:00pm, with curbside pickup still available during these times as well.

Library

• Beginning Monday, February 7, the library will be open Monday through Thursday, 8:30am to 9:00pm; Friday, 8:30am to 7:00pm, and Saturday, 9:00am to 6:00pm.

Fitness Center

• On Wednesday, February 2, the Rose Building fitness center will open and resume normal hours of 6am-midnight, seven days a week. This is available to residential and non-residential students. At this time, faculty and staff are still not permitted to access this facility.
• The capacity of the fitness center will remain capped at eight people at any one time.
• Students are still required to wear masks in the fitness center, even when exercising.

Residence Hall

• Residential students will receive a separate email from the Office of Residence Life pertaining to guests, community spaces, and other relevant information.