Baycourt’s back to business (again) at COVID Alert Level 1

It is a bit of a case of déjà vu, but it still goes without saying – Baycourt Community & Arts Centre is utterly thrilled to be getting back to the business of delivering high quality shows again!

With Aotearoa (excluding Auckland) dropping down to COVID Alert Level 1 (AL1) on September 21, the EVANZ Supreme Award-winning Tauranga venue can once again deliver events for crowds of more than 100 people.

Baycourt’s first event at AL1 is I Dance Studio’s new show Our Little Mermaid, with the Tauranga dance school presenting three performances in the Baycourt Addison Theatre this Saturday and Sunday, September 26-27.

With the Addison able to seat more than 500 people at any given time, Baycourt manager James Wilson is overjoyed by the prospect of hundreds of locals returning to the Tauranga venue again.

Photo Credit: Brydie Photography

“One of the greatest joys as a manager is seeing Baycourt filled with hundreds of happy people who have come to experience the excitement, wonder and delight only a live event can offer, so long may that continue.

“We also recognise people may feel anxious about attending events at Alert AL1, and I want them to know whenever they visit Baycourt they will be treated like whānau, and Baycourt always takes care of its whānau.”

While there are no Government restrictions on public events at AL1, the health and safety of audiences, artists and staff is still, and will always be, the highest priority for Baycourt.

Since the initial COVID outbreak and subsequent lockdown earlier this year, Baycourt staff have worked tirelessly behind the scenes implementing a range of safety measures to ensure everyone’s safety.

These measures include installing new sanitising stations, instituting contactless payment and ticket entry to the venue, all on top of an increased frequency of cleaning, especially in high traffic areas.

Visitors to Baycourt will still be encouraged to maintain their contact tracing diaries at AL1, either by signing in using the Government’s NZ COVID Tracer app and QR codes displayed throughout the venue or whatever method they have been using.

Though face masks are not a mandatory requirement, the visitor will always be more than welcome to wear one if it helps to put their minds at ease during their visit to Baycourt.

It is also essential that if people feel sick or unwell that they do not attend events or shows at Baycourt, said Wilson.

“It is also important to note that if people have any concerns while visiting Baycourt to make sure they speak to one of the fronts of house staff who are always available to help during events.”

On top of these measures, in June Baycourt adopted the voluntary COVID Code of compliance, developed in partnership by numerous event industry representative bodies specifically for the Aotearoa event sector.

Wilson said the adoption of the code is Baycourt’s commitment to the Tauranga community to stay up to date with Ministry of Health guidance, implement best practice to maintain a high standard of hygiene, and enable our visitors to maintain their own record for contact tracing.

“On behalf of Baycourt, I want to express my thanks and gratitude to the Tauranga community for the amazing support it’s shown us over the recent months. We can’t wait to see you all again at Baycourt soon.”