Workshop COVID-19 Policies and Mitigation Measures

Updated April 28, 2023

COVID-19 Policies

Vaccinations

For the safety of all, we require that all workshop attendees and staff be “fully vaccinated” (have completed a primary series) and recommend that they be "up to date" with their COVID-19 vaccinations. Note that the CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 years and older receive an updated (bivalent) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.  See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html (updated April 13) for details.

Pre-arrival Testing

We require that all workshop attendees and staff take a rapid antigen test either upon arrival at Folklore Village or within three hours previous to arrival. We will have rapid test kits available at no charge for those who were unable to test prior to arrival.

Stay home with newly-arisen respiratory tract symptoms if you feel unwell. Any attendee who tested positive for covid six days or less prior to arrival at our workshop, is considered still contagious and should not attend our workshop. Regardless of test results, if a workshop attendee or staff feels ill at any time, we will work with them to help them to safely isolate offsite if they are not able to drive home.

Masks

Wearing a mask is optional. We will have masks available at no charge on request. People should feel free to wear them if they choose. Note that the HFAA may change this policy at any time during the workshop based on the health status of our attendees and staff.

Travelling to the workshop:  CDC recommends “properly wearing a high-quality mask or respirator over the nose and mouth in indoor areas of public transportation (such as airplanes, trains, buses, ferries) and transportation hubs (such as airports, stations, and seaports).” See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/masks-public-transportation.html for details.

We will follow all COVID-19 guidance from the CDC, the state of Wisconsin, Iowa County, and Folklore Village. Additional health measures may be required. Changes to our COVID-19 policies will be published here as conditions change, and all workshop registrants will be notified of changes via email.

Mitigation Measures

Our workshop will be utilizing the following COVID-19 mitigation measures. Changes to these measures will be published here as conditions change. 

1. Distancing. The intermediate and advanced-level Hardanger fiddle classes will be held in the largest spaces on the Folklore Village campus, with plentiful air circulation, to allow for distancing between participants.

2. Air filtration. The beginning-level Hardanger fiddle class will be held in a room with a quiet, large-capacity HEPA filtration appliance which recirculates cleaned air at short intervals.

3. Outdoor dining. In addition to indoor dining, an outdoor covered dining area with open sides and with tables and chairs will be available.

4. Porta-potties and outdoor handwashing stations will be available as alternatives to the small restroom area in Farwell Hall.

5. Bunkhouse housing. Some beds in the bunkhouses may be removed to allow for greater distancing. Plentiful air circulation will be in place.