Our COVID Response and What You Can Expect
Updated 11/1/2022
Hello Community!
Washington State's emergency order for COVID19 lifted on 10/31. After evaluation and discussion, our studio will be lifting our requirement to provide proof of vaccination starting on November 1st.
We will continue to offer generous sick late cancellations to keep sick people home and our studio healthy. If you feel sick or ill with any cold or flu like symptoms, just notify us before class and you will not be subject to our regular 12 hour cancellation policy. Please note that to take advantage of this late cancel leniency, we need you to notify us before class begins, and not afterwards. No Shows are still treated as No Shows.
Ascendance will continue to clean heavily, utilize our HEPA filters, and encourage distancing. We encourage all who are eligible to get their COVID19 vaccines and booster shots, as well as seasonal flu shots.
Masking is still also heavily encouraged, as it is our very best tool to prevent transmission.
Please contact us for questions or concerns. Thanks!
Updated 3/28/2022
// COVID Policy Update
We have an update to our April COVID policies.
This is a sensitive issue and one we’ve had many conversations inside the studio and outside it and with other studios/schools/businesses in the area. We have been monitoring case counts, hospitalizations, deaths and other lagging indicators and things are trending downwards for the time being. We’ve done our best to strike a balance of data, personal comfortability, and managing risk the best we can. The BA2 variant is a concern, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.
Beginning April 4th, we will be mask-optional at the studio for those fully vaccinated. We will continue to require proof of vaccination from our student body and will not accept proof of negative tests in place of vaccine cards for clients at this time.
The relaxed illness policy is still in place, so let us know if you're not feeling well and can't make it to class by texting 425-256-2246.
While we can only trust and not verify, we are asking you be mindful to our studio friends and wear a mask in these situations:
If you or a household member has traveled to/from an area with higher COVID numbers (whether domestic or international), mask at the studio for at least 5 days.
If you have possibly been exposed to someone with COVID, mask at the studio for at least 10 days.
If you have any respiratory symptoms, even if you have tested negative for COVID, mask up. Regular colds and flus still exist and being regular sick sucks - let’s not share those cooties.
If you know you have been been exposed or are COVID positive, testing/quarantine guidance still applies.
Should you test positive for COVID, you must stay home. You must be past your 5 day quarantine period and have been symptom free for at least 72 hours. Please obtain a negative antigen/PCR test before returning to the studio.
If you or someone in your household/pod is exhibiting symptoms, if you have been notified of a first-degree exposure, or if someone you’ve been in contact with has tested positive, you must test or quarantine (5 days) before coming in.
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and flexibility as we continue to keep up with the challenge COVID throws are way.
- Ascendance
Updated 3/1/2022
Washington State and King County have announced adjusted Covid guidance that will go into effect throughout March.
Starting, March 1st, the Covid vaccine requirement in Renton shifts from being mandated by King County, to being a requirement that individual businesses can determine whether or not to keep in place. Then on March 11th, the mask mandate will also be at the discretion of individual businesses.
For now, we will maintain our current policy, which requires wearing masks and proof of vaccination to participate in classes in the studio. Even after March 12, we will continue to require masks while we evaluate next steps.
Proof of Vaccination still required for In Studio Services
To submit your card for verification:
Please send a copy of your card or a screenshot from your MyIRL account to Support@AscendanceStudios.org (please note this is a different inbox than the usual Hello@ inbox). Include your full name and which email address your studio account is associated with.
At this time, we will not be accepting negative COVID19 tests in lieu of vaccination.
On a personal note:
We would like to thank everyone who participated in our survey, we got over 200 responses from our community, and we weigh your feedback heavily as we choose our next steps. The results were very clear from both students and staff that the majority are not ready to drop these requirements just yet. Many of our members and staff have children too young to be vaccinated, have immunocompromised family members, or are themselves immunocompromised, and we want to ensure they can continue to feel safe training with us.
Those who have stuck with us through this whole pandemic know that we have erred on the side of caution throughout, this caution has served us and our students very well, as there have been no known cases of community spread in the studio ever. We strongly feel that if we were to make changes now, we risk losing the trust we have worked so hard to earn from our community, and that is a sacrifice we are not willing to make.
We dearly miss members of our community who are not able to be vaccinated, and hope to be able to welcome them back in person safely soon. We ask them for patience and grace, and remind them that just as so many things are happily reopening for them, those same options are being closed off to many who are at higher risk for infection and serious illness. It is our unhappy task to continuously navigate between the needs and wants of many disparate groups, to choose a path that keeps us, our staff, and our students safe and still allows us to operate.
From the beginning, we have felt supremely unqualified to make these decisions. We have continuously sought guidance from medical professionals, government officials, legal experts, other studio owners, and, of course, our community. Reconciling all of this information and distilling it into a single policy has been one of our biggest challenges in a period rife with challenges.
Thank you, Ascenders! We will keep you posted and as always, thank you for your continued support and grace.
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Updated 1/5/2022
Omicron Variant
The Omicron COVID variant is more contagious and known to affect those who have been masked, and even those who are vaccinated and boosted. Doubling down on masks, distancing, and being vigilant are some of our best tools to staying healthy.
Masking
Regular cloth masks are no longer sufficient. While not required, we strongly encourage the use of KN95 masks, N95 masks, doubling up on cloth masks in the studio, or adding a surgical mask to your cloth mask. This is not the most comfy to train in and more limiting in airflow, but they offer some of the best protection against this variant.
While in the studio, please stay masked if you are in a room with anyone. Even if you are sharing the studio with someone you live with, share drinks on the weekends, or kiss nightly - you may share those cooties outside studio walls until we get through this. For children 3 and older visiting the studio, please bring a mask and encourage them to wear it at all times.
Testing
Testing is becoming more and more difficult to obtain in a timely and cost effective manner. Stay home home and us a text (425-256-2246) if you have any reason to suspect you may have COVID.
If you or someone in your household/pod is exhibiting symptoms, if you have been notified of a first-degree exposure, or if someone you've been in contact with has tested positive, you must test or quarantine before coming in.
If you have been in a situation that creates a high risk of exposure - such as a neighborhood get together, large event, travel, family reunion, or any event that feels risky - we strongly encourage you to test or quarantine before coming in.
Relaxed Illness Cancellation Policy
If you have any illness symptoms or have had 1st hand COVID exposure, please stay home. We will forgive late cancel penalties - we need you to communicate with us first though, or it will be considered a No-Show. Text us (425-256-2246) to keep us updated.
Returning to Class
Should you test positive for COVID, you must stay home. You must be past your 5 day quarantine period and have been symptom free for at least 72 hours. We strongly encourage you have a negative antigen/PCR test before returning to the studio.
Our Response
We are continuing our high-touch sanitation protocols between all classes and services. We use hypochlorous acid (a nontoxic disinfectant that is safe for skin and all surfaces) in an electrostatic sprayer and spray all surfaces and equipment. We limit equipment sharing and continue to operate with reduced class sizes to encourage more space between all participants. HEPA filters run in all studios at all times, and our HVAC filters have been recently serviced. We are committed to keeping things squeaky clean and as safe as we can!
Proof of Vaccination still required for In Studio Services
Beginning 10/25, King County will be requiring proof of vaccination for gyms. To submit your card for verification:
Please send a copy of your card or a screenshot from your MyIRL account to Support@AscendanceStudios.org (please note this is a different inbox than the usual Hello@ inbox). Include your full name and which email address your studio account is associated with.
At this time, we will not be accepting negative COVID19 tests in lieu of vaccination.
Please reach out if you have questions about this, need to pause/cancel your membership, or need help with your Series. We will extend class packages for those who are not able to utilize them over the next 3 months, by request.
Thank you for your patience, grace, and cooperation with these changes.
————-
Updated 10/5/2021
Upcoming Vaccination Policy
Beginning 10/25, King County will be requiring proof of vaccination for gyms. You can read details here: Proof of Vaccination - starting 10/25. This mandate is set for 6 months - we are hopeful we can revert back this spring.
We will be adhering to this guidance and requiring staff and participants be fully vaccinated from COVID19 to enter the studio. We’d appreciate you sending proof ahead of class so that we have a smooth transition and are not burdened with excessive admin time processing these cards.
We will not be storing this information; we are just using it to verify and mark a checkbox on your account notes. To submit your card for verification:
Please send a copy of your card or a copy of your MyIRL record to Support@AscendanceStudios.org (please note this is a different inbox than the usual Hello@ inbox)
Include your full name and which email address your studio account is associated with.
At this time, we will not be accepting negative COVID19 tests in lieu of vaccination.
Please email us if you have questions or need to make updates to your memberships.
For those that are staying home, we are pleased to be continuing our Livestream virtual classes via Zoom. We’ve been expanding our Home Pole Rental and Sales Program, so if you do not have home pole, we can help! Rentals are a low cast, low commitment way to see if having a home pole works for you.
Thank you for your patience, support, and cooperation with yet even more changes. Your kindness means more than you know.
———
Updated 8/23/2021
Mask Policy - effective Monday, August 23
Washington State’s Secretary of Health is requiring that everyone over five years of age wear a mask in public indoor settings. Please bring your mask to class. We have masks available in the studio, if you forget yours.
If you are renting the studio solo, you are welcome to remove your mask when alone. Mask will be required to exit to the lobby/common areas.
Thanks for your cooperation!
Our response for return to in-studio instruction
Everyone must sign a new COVID-19 waiver.
Vaccinated individuals may forgo their masks. Those who have not received their COVID-19 vaccines must continue to wear their masks.
Masks are required in the lobby, common areas, and restrooms.
Physical distancing of at least 6′ will be maintained at all times.
Hand-washing/sanitizing will be required before and after sessions.
Spotting and hands on adjustments are limited.
Staggering of arrival times and increased breaks between lessons to allow for more time to clean the studios between sessions.
Disinfection of shared surfaces will continue to happen frequently.
HEPA filters are in all studios and running 24/7
Studios are disinfected with electrostatic hypoclorous acid between every use.
We’re reducing hands on contact with doors, installing automatic sanitizer dispensers, updated our cleaning protocols, and so much more behind the scenes. We’re monitoring and participating in ongoing industry conversations about best practices surrounding this situation.
