The provincial government has released public health guidance for choir and wind instrument playing.

Before starting, all participants must be screened. Sessions are limited to groups of no more than 100 people per room, provided that physical distancing can be maintained, playing in smaller groups when possible.

While singing indoors, participants are required to wear a mask. Wind players are encouraged to play with a combination of recommended bell coverings, physical distancing, and plexiglass partitions when possible. All participants should also be forward-facing.

Sessions are to be a maximum of 60 minutes, with only 30 minutes of playing or singing time in total.

Between sessions, at least 30 minutes should be given for sanitization. Time for two air exchanges or ventilations should be allowed. If air exchange information is unavailable, one hour of ventilation is required.

All organizations must have a plan in place for how they will proceed before restarting.

Robert Colbourne, the choral director at Holy Heart in St. John’s, says it will take some time to put together their plans but they’re just happy to be able to get back to music.

The guidelines call for people to sing in lower volumes where possible.

He says it’s all new and that the pieces they pick may mean a softer selection kind of year.

The full list of regulations can be found here.