COVID-19 – Guidelines for Visitors and Program Participants

COVID-19 – Guidelines for Visitors and Program Participants

May 2023

 

We are addressing 3 areas of concern for COVID-19 transmission:

  1. Droplets – physical distancing; face masks
  2. Aerosols – HEPA filtration in the shrine rooms and community rooms on at all times during events; windows open; face masks
  3. High-touch areas – handwashing requirement; hand sanitizer; enhanced cleaning protocols

 

Our COVID-19 plan has 3 parts:

  • changes for visitors and program participants
  • changes at the Toronto Shambhala Centre
  • changes for volunteers and staff
Masks are available at the Centre

While the Public Health Agency of Canada continues to encourage the receiving of recommended COVID-19 vaccinations and the adoption of personal protective practices, such as wearing well-fitting masks due to the ongoing circulation of COVID-19 in our communities, masking is optional at the Centre at this time. If you don’t have a mask of your own, and wish to wear one, we have masks available at the Centre.

 

Wash or sanitize your hands immediately upon entering the Centre. Hand sanitizer is available near the entrance and throughout the Centre.

 

Give others space, maintaining physical distance as much as possible.

 

Bring your own drinking cup or bottle for your water/tea.

 

Changes at the Toronto Shambhala Centre

  • Virtual meditation sessions and programs will remain an option for people (via Zoom), and somein-person events will also be broadcast via Zoom.
  • 3 large-room air purifiers with true HEPA filtration have been purchased – one for the community room, one for the main shrine room, and a third that can be moved between shrine rooms as needed.
  • Provide face masks for participants who don’t have one.
  • Hand sanitizer in several places.
  • Physically distancing when possible.
  • Visitor Guidelines posted on the website, at the Centre entrance, and in the coat room.

Changes for volunteers and program staff

Preparation before each event:

  • Entrance and community room: face masks, hand sanitizer, facial tissues, air purifier set to “fan on”.
  • Main shrine room: facial tissues, air purifiers on “medium” or “high”, hand sanitizer.
  • Other rooms, as applicable: facial tissues, air purifier set to “fan on”, hand sanitizer.
  • Washrooms: ample liquid soap, paper towels in every washroom, hand sanitizer.