We're asking that the government doesn't include Performing Arts/Dance Tuition in the list of things that aren't allowed to reopen on December 2nd and they let us reopen and bring joy, good physical and mental health to all our students before Christmas.

Dance/performing arts studios are so COVID safe and so imperative to our kids mental health. I have 2 adopted children and dance is their outlet, dance makes them feel OK. Our space is for some kids their safe haven and their only chance to express themselves. Not allowing us to reopen before Christmas is detrimental to our students mental and physical health.

This petition comes about as rumour has it that gyms and leisure facilities are not going to be allowed to reopen until January and this could include Performing Arts studios. As the Director of Platform Perform a Performing Arts Academy I know how much safer my venue is than being in a School or University with regards to COVID19. Our students are in their own boxes at least 2 metres from any other individual. We temperature check them on the way in, we make them use the hand sanitiser and we mop our studio floor after every class. The amount of dettol spray we use is insane.

Our head of dance contracted COVID from the gym she used to work at back in October and we had to close, but because we followed the guidelines strictly not one of our students or parents caught it off her.

We are a safe place to be. We take the guidelines so seriously because this is our livelihood but also it's what keeps us all sane including the kids. Not allowing us to reopen on December 2nd would have a huge impact on our wellbeing and our students wellbeing, so I'm asking the government to seriously consider making us exempt from the leisure facilities closure and allowing us to reopen on December 2nd, please join me in supporting this petition.

#LetUsTeach #PerformingArts #childrenswellbeing #mentalhealth #physicalhealth