Safety Policies and Protocols

All students are required to follow safety policies and protocols to protect themselves and the entire community from Covid-19. While the vaccine provides significant protection, it is possible to have a breakthrough infection, and it is critical to have multiple safety measures which, in combination, will greatly reduce the risk of contracting the virus. In addition, the state of California and the Los Angeles County Department of Health have orders (requirements) and guidelines that the School must adhere to in order to have students, faculty and staff on campus.

It is important to note that state and county orders and guidelines may change at any time and without notice, which may therefore also change these policies and protocols.

As we begin the fall semester, we will have a small number of unvaccinated Conservatory students who were unable to be vaccinated (or fully vaccinated) before arriving on campus. In general, this is due to the lack of access to the vaccine in their home countries.

Our safety policies and protocols are divided into three phases:

Phase 1
Protocols for unvaccinated/partially vaccinated (not fully inoculated) students arriving from abroad (not including Canada), who per CDC guidelines have a required 7-day quarantine.

Phase 2
Protocols for partially vaccinated OR not fully inoculated students arriving from within the US, or students who have completed Phase 1.

Phase 3
Protocols for fully vaccinated students.

We anticipate having a fully vaccinated student body by early October. Even after that date, students are asked to take all possible safety precautions to ensure the health of the community and the continuity of in-person study, including but not limited to:

  • wearing a mask in indoor public spaces or in crowded outdoor settings;
  • staying 6 feet away from other people whenever possible;
  • avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces;
  • washing hands often;
  • covering coughs and sneezes;
  • cleaning and disinfecting living spaces frequently;
  • monitoring health daily and not going to lessons, ensembles, classes or any activities if not feeling well.

Phase 1

Protocols for unvaccinated/partially vaccinated (not fully inoculated) students arriving from abroad (not including Canada) – required 7-day quarantine

Quarantine Timeline
Day 1: Arrival to Colburn + rapid test + negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival in LA
Day 2: Rapid test + 1st dose vaccination* if both Day 1 and Day 2 rapid tests are negative*
Day 3: Rapid test + PCR test (off campus)
Day 4: Rapid test
Day 5: Rapid test
Day 6: Rapid test
Day 7: Rapid test
Day 8 – quarantine complete: follow behaviors for Phase 2

*Students arriving from abroad with only one vaccine dose must immediately schedule their 2nd dose and notify Housing and Residence Life of the appointment date.

Quarantine Rules

  • All quarantined students will need to follow a strict quarantine in their suite.
  • Unvaccinated students will be housed in single rooms with other unvaccinated students in the same suite.
  • Students may only leave their suite to pick up meals and/or practice alone in assigned practice rooms only (pianists or percussionists only; all others may practice in their room following quiet hours guidelines), or as specified for testing/vaccination.
  • Students may leave the building, only to:
  • Take a PCR test 3-5 days after arrival.
  • Receive the 1st vaccine dose of their chosen vaccine.
  • Students must remain masked and socially distanced at all times when outside of their suites.
  • Quarantined students will undergo daily rapid testing for all 7 days.
  • Rapid testing will be done with Security, at a specified time.
  • All Quarantined students will be required to submit the LiveSafe app “Daily Health Check” daily

Phase 2

Protocols for partially vaccinated OR not fully inoculated students arriving from within the US, or after Phase 1
  • Students must remain masked and socially distanced at all times when outside of their suites.
  • Classrooms will have seats that are appropriately distanced 3 feet apart.
  • Students in Phase 2 will have a rapid test 2 times a week until fully inoculated.
  • Rapid testing will be done with Security, on specified days of the week/times.
  • All students will be required to submit the LiveSafe app “Daily Health Check” daily.

Aerosol Instruments in Phase 2
Only fully inoculated students may remove masks indoors to rehearse or perform (see Phase 3). During Phase 2, students who play aerosol instruments may only remove their masks outdoors.

  • Lessons must be over Zoom or outdoors.
  • Performance classes (e.g. studio class, chamber music, brass class, etc.) must be attended, but students may not remove masks at any time and may only observe, unless the performance class/ensemble is held outdoors.

Phase 3

Protocols for Conservatory vaccinated students
  • All students must be masked at all times outside of their suite, and socially distanced when possible.
  • All fully vaccinated students will have a rapid test once a week.
  • Rapid testing will be done with Security, on a specified day of the week/time.

Aerosol instruments in Phase 3*
Fully vaccinated students who play aerosol instruments may remove masks to rehearse and perform, but must keep the mask on while not playing (e.g. during extended rests, while listening to instructions, etc.).

*Subject to change according to Department of Health orders.