8/3/2021 - Currently, much of the nation is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 infections, particularly due to the more infectious and highly transmissible Delta variant. In response, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued new recommendations on mask wearing for fully vaccinated individuals tied to the rate of community transmission of the virus (High, Substantial, Moderate, Low). The Biden Administration then announced that unvaccinated federal workers will be subject to regular testing, masking, and distancing rules.
Given these concerning developments, the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and our Expert Medical Advisory Board issue this Guidance on COVID-19 Delta Variant for our members and signatory companies.
The purpose of this Guidance is to help our employers adjust their COVID-19 safety protocols to these new developments. The updated Vaccination and Testing Scenarios in this guidane now require mask wearing and testing of unvaccinated individuals even if more than 90% of the workplace is vaccinated. In workplaces where less than 90% of the workplace is vaccinated, our experts recommend that everyone, whether vaccinated or not, be tested regularly and wear masks in rehearsal and while off stage. As always, our goal remains to get our members back to work and keep them safe while working despite the unique risks of what they do.
For more detailed information about vaccinations and the two types of rapid tests available, please see our earlier Special Guidance on Vaccinations and Testing. In today's Guidance, we focus entirely on new testing and mask wearing protocols. All scenarios assume our Return to Stage and Performing Arts Playbook's fundamental safety protocols remain in place, including, but not limited to sufficient ventilation, cleaning/disinfecting protocols, hand hygiene practices, and daily health screenings.