Response to New Coronavirus (Statement from the Japan Salsa Association)

     

    Directed to: Certified Instructors and Members

     

    While we enjoy salsa, we value the health and safety of our members and instructors above all else. We are committed to doing our utmost to protect our fellow dancers and our society from the spread of COVID-19. As such, we request that our members take the following precautions. 

     

     Recommended Precautions for Dancers:

     

    • Keep dancing areas well-ventilated and make sure that the air does not stagnate.
    • Disinfect any shared items before use. 
    • Please keep up-to-date on the most recent information and act accordingly to protect yourself and others.
    • Wear masks while dancing to reduce the risk of infection.
    • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after dancing in accordance with medical guidelines (https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/10200000/000603615.pdf).
    • Monitor your health and do not leave your home or take part in any dance functions if your temperature is over 37℃.
    • If you are coughing or sneezing even a little, do not participate in lessons or social dancing.
    • For organizers: please give refunds or makeup lessons to those who are unable to participate due to health reasons. 

     

    While the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare has taken measures to protect Japan’s borders from the new coronavirus, there have been some regions of Japan where the transmission route is unclear. Additionally, there are some regions where clusters (small groups) of coronavirus patients have been identified. However, at this time, there has yet to be a large-scale spread of the virus within Japan.

     

    In order to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, it is essential to prevent cluster-to-cluster transmission. By following the recommendations above, we can reduce the number of infections as much as possible and help reduce the speed of new coronavirus’ transmission within Japan.

     

    There has already been a case of a concert in Osaka where a mass outbreak occurred, infecting nearly 30 with new coronavirus. A similar outbreak may occur in the salsa community unless we all take appropriate precautionary measures such as the ones listed above.