Dear Dancers, Teaching Artists and Supporters,
As you know, we are facing a difficult public health situation: the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Yesterday, the World Health Organization (WHO) categorized the current COVID-19 disease as a pandemic and reminded all countries that we still have the opportunity to slow the extent of its reach.
In New York, Governor Cuomo has declared a state of emergency and has urged all to take extra precautions, especially those identified to be at higher risk for complications from the virus.
The Department for the Aging is supporting city-wide initiatives to prioritize the well-being of older adults and those with pre-existing conditions, who are at most risk from COVID-19.
We have decided that it is our responsibility to ensure we are also taking precautions to ensure the health and safety of our students and the other people at the centers we serve.
As such, we are suspending classes and rehearsals at all sites from Friday, March 13 until Monday, March 30, 2020.
Before March 30, we will re-evaluate the situation and send a message of start dates returning to our programs.
Meanwhile we are developing an online class that you can do at home.
Please know that this was not an easy decision for us to make. We continue to feel strongly the importance and huge amount of joy and community strong and creative programs like MOVEMENT SPEAKS ® bring to many older adults citywide! We love dancing with you! However, out of an abundance of caution for the needs of this community we love and respect, we feel this is the best way that DVP can support the City’s efforts to discourage crowds at this challenging time. Our goal and priority is wellbeing and safety of the community, members, volunteers and staff.
We thank you for your understanding. United in community, we will arrive at the other end of this situation to continue to share in our joy of creative movement and strength together!
We will continue to update you as we know more.
Warmly,
Naomi
