Due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, Theatre of Arts has updated its campus health and safety requirements based on the latest Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) guidelines. The following are required of all students, faculty, staff and visitors before entering the premises at Theatre of Arts, effective January 1, 2022.
Mandatory Testing Twice Weekly:
All students, faculty, staff and visitors (regardless of vaccination status) are required to be tested for COVID-19 at least twice per week. Testing will be provided on-campus free of charge every Monday and Thursday from 8–11 am. Testing will take approximately 15-30 minutes during which time both a rapid and PCR test will be administered. PCR test results (which will also include testing for Influenza) will take up to 48 hours.
Test Results Safety Protocols:
Rapid Test: Negative Result - Subject cleared to enter campus
Rapid Test: Positive Result (No Symptoms) - Subject prohibited from entering campus for 5 days. On or after day 6, subject can be tested again. Proof of a negative result on a subsequent test must be provided before returning to campus.
Rapid Test: Positive Result (With Symptoms) - Subject prohibited from entering campus for 5 days. If symptoms have abated by day 5, subject can be tested again on or after day 6. Proof of a negative result on a subsequent test must be provided before returning to campus. If symptoms have not abated by day 5, admittance to campus will be prohibited for an additional 5 days (10 days total). Proof of a negative result on a test administered at least 6 days after the previous positive must be provided before returning to campus.
PRC Test: Negative Result - Subject cleared to enter campus, even if Rapid Test result was positive, IF subject is asymptomatic.
PRC Test: Positive Result - Same as Rapid Test Positive results above.
3rd Party Exposure: Subjects exposed to persons who have tested positive for COVID-19 are prohibited from entering campus for 5 days. On or after day 6, subject can be tested. Proof of a negative result on day 6 or later must be provided before returning to campus.
Mandatory Indoor Mask Use:
Face masks are required at all times while indoors. Higher efficacy masks such as medical grade, KN95 or an N95 will be required for all staff working on site. Students and visitor are strongly encouraged to use these types of face coverings also. Cloth masks, neck gaiters, bandanas and the like are ineffective against a rapidly spreading variant like Omicron.
Mandatory Vaccination:
All Theatre of Arts students, faculty, staff and visitors are required to have already received the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (“COVID-19 vaccine”) in order to be granted admittance to TOA facilities or classes. To confirm vaccination status, all individuals must present written evidence of immunization from an authorized healthcare provider, pharmacy, or other authorized source. Faculty and staff must send proof of vaccination to David Law at davidlaw@toa.edu. Students must direct proof of vaccination to Amanda Alvarez at amandaalvarez@toa.edu. Theatre of Arts regards all such information as confidential and will ensure that records are preserved to ensure privacy is maintained.
IMPORTANT: All persons without proof of vaccination must be tested for COVID-19 THREE TIMES PER WEEK, and provide hard copies of negative test results each Monday, Wednesday and Friday in order to be permitted on campus. Please note that COVID-19 testing is only provided free of charge on campus twice per week; all persons requiring thrice-weekly testing must locate and schedule their own third weekly tests via LACounty.gov, and pay any associated costs out of pocket.
Requests for Exemptions & Accommodations To assist any student, faculty or staff member who is disabled, pregnant, a nursing mother, has a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates the vaccination, or objects to being vaccinated on the basis of a sincerely held religious belief or practice, Theatre of Arts will engage in an interactive process to determine if a reasonable accommodation can be provided that does not create an undue hardship on the college’s community and/or does not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others at TOA. To request an accommodation for one of the above reasons, please notify Amanda Alvarez in writing at: amandaalvarez@toa.edu. Students, faculty and staff may request an accommodation without fear of retaliation. If you believe you have been treated in a manner not in accordance with this policy, please notify Theatre of Arts immediately.
IMPORTANT: All persons granted exemption from vaccination must be tested for COVID-19 THREE TIMES PER WEEK, and provide hard copies of negative test results each Monday, Wednesday and Friday in order to be permitted on campus. Please note that COVID-19 testing is only provided free of charge on campus twice per week; all persons requiring thrice-weekly testing must locate and schedule their own third weekly tests via LACounty.gov, and pay any associated costs out of pocket.
TOA would like to thank all members of our community for their understanding and shared commitment to ensuring that Theatre of Arts remains a safe and healthy place to learn, collaborate, and pursue our creative dreams together. Please note that TOA will continue to review and revise our COVID-19 policies in order to provide the safest possible environment in which to learn and work.
Any questions regarding the above policies may be directed to amandaalvarez@toa.edu. For additional updates and information on TOA's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please see toa.edu/covid19.