Health and Safety Information

Commitment to Safety

The health and safety of our staff, guests, and artists is our top priority, and we are following public safety guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health.

Below are the steps we are taking to ensure we operate in the safest way possible.

Vaccination policy

In light of the highly transmissible Delta and Omicron variants and increasing COVID-19 case numbers in Minnesota, we will require a COVID-19 booster shot for vaccinated audience members attending performances at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts beginning February 1. Until further notice, audience members will be required to present either proof of their COVID-19 vaccination and booster shot, or a negative test result taken within 72 hours before a performance.

Mask policy

Face masks will still be required at all times in the Ordway, regardless of vaccination status, except when actively eating or drinking in lobbies. Given the transmissibility of the Omicron variant, the Partnership has updated its mask policy to require non-cloth masks such as N95, KN95, KF94 and surgical masks. Non-cloth masks will be available at the Ordway upon arrival if needed courtesy of the Arts Partners.

Air quality

The Ordway’s air system brings in fresh air from the outside to help limit the spread of airborne viruses like COVID-19. In addition, several updates have been made to further improve air safety inside the Ordway:

• Upgraded the heating, ventilation and aircondition (HVAC) filtration to high-efficiency

MERV 13 filters, following Minnesota Department of Health best practices.

• Added HVAC controls and sensors to improve air velocity within the building and provide additional monitoring and control of the system by our facility engineers. • Removed forced air hand dryers in all restrooms, which have been shown to disperse a high quantity of bacteria into the air and replaced them with paper towel dispensers.

Cleaning and sanitizing

In addition to the robust cleaning practices that were already in place, we have:

• Increased the frequency of cleaning throughout the building for high-touch areas in the front of house and back of house areas of the Ordway.

• Added state-of-the-art practices including selfcleaning anti-microbial covers in high-touch areas where possible.

• Set up hand-sanitizing stations throughout the venue.

• Trained all employees in critical hand washing and cleaning guidelines.

• Replaced waste receptacles with open top units so guests can throw out items without touching any surfaces.

Guest responsibility

We ask that guests stay home if they are sick or exposed to COVID-19. Please contact the box office to transfer your tickets to another performance, donate your tickets, or request a refund.

For questions, comments, or more information about the Arts Partnership’s commitment to keeping you safe, please contact Minnesota Opera’s ticket office at 612.333.6669 or hello@mnopera.org.