Am I allowed to meet up, socialize and dance with a small group outside?
Unfortunately people are not dancing much due to Corona. Dance schools are closed for months, parties and events are cancelled. But since the 1st of June there are some slight changes in what is allowed and what is not. Every press moment there are new rules presented or older ones are being loosened. We often get confused. So we got to the bottom of it, and are now sharing our insights with you, so you will know exactly how to organise your own LOTS (Latin On The Streets) within the boundaries of the rules. **
**This advice is based on the information of the Government of the Netherlands. No rights can be derived from our advice. It is not an official advice, rather just our translation of the current measures, applied to small initiatives to come together in the salsa and bachata scene. This advice is not applicable for event organizers and/or dance schools. When in doubt, please check the sources of this article, and always follow the instructions of the police and enforcement.
Am I allowed to meet up with a small group outside to dance?
Yes, and no… From the 1st of June 2020 you’re allowed to meet up in groups again outside. However, you do need to comply with the 1.5m distance between each other. Partner dancing or switching partner as we are used is therefor not allowed.
Only for people within your household this 1.5m rule does not apply. This means that you’re allowed to dance with your partner if you live together with him/her. This means you are not allowed to change partners. A dance without a partner, with a 1.5m distance is allowed.
Am I allowed to dance with my partner (with whom I live in the same house)?
Yes, as long as you share the same household you can. This does mean that you’re not able to switch dance partner. Luckily after a lockdown, coming together with others is already a step closer to dancing! Socializing and enjoying the sunshine is a big part of LOTS as well.
With many people can I come together outside?
For public outside spaces there is no maximum. But be aware that if you attract a lot of attention, and the 1.5m distance is not feasible anymore, the police might send you home.
Tip: a smaller group is less likely to be addressed than a big group. Law enforcement can easily see a big group as a organized event, which are not yet allowed. The better you keep your 1.5m distance, the lesser the chance of being addressed to keep the distance. Our advice would be to keep the group smaller than 20 people.
Are facemasks or other precautions mandatory when you dance outside?
No. Obviously you can just wear them if you or your friends feel comfortable with them. Consider washing your hands prior to the dancing. It might also come in handy to bring desinfectant hand gel.
What does one of those get-togethers look like in practice?
The weather is amazing and you’re in the mood to move on summery latin vibes and socialize with your dancefriends. That’s possible! LOTS is about more than just dancing. It is the vibe: music, good weather, BBQing. It’s all Bring Your Own. Tips and tricks will be shared about salsa & bachata while the sun sets.
You gather a preselected group of dancers to meet. For example at a square nearby or a park with enough space. You keep the 1.5m distance between each other. If you live together with your dance partner you can dance with him/her, but the couples do not switch partners. You only dance with your own parter / housemate.
Are you not living together with your dance partner? Not a problem! You can also enjoy single dancing. A perfect moment to work on those rusty shines. Or come up with an easy choreography, teach your fellow LOTSers and dance all together as a sort of line-dance. Afterwards you enjoy a self brought drink with a good conversation. A perfect day, outside, including the positive vibes. That’s exactly what LOTS can do.
Be aware: because for law inforcement it might be difficult to check who lives with whom, it might be that dancing with a partner will be prohibit by law enforcement.
What else should we keep in mind?
The most important is that you give each other space, you abide the distance rules and that you enjoy the getting together. A few things might help:
- Stay home if you’re sick. It is important that you won’t join social initiatives like this if you’re not feeling well. So if you’re coughing, have a runny nose or a fever: please keep others safe by staying home.
- Make sure that everybody who joins knows about the predefined agreements with each other.
- If you’re BBQing or you wish to arrange some drinks, make sure you don’t drink from the same cups. Easiest is if everybody brings their own crockery and cutlery. If you consider using disposable cups, bring a marker to write your name on it.
- You can always bring disinfecting hand gel to be sure so you can use it to clean your hands or objects that are touched by multiple people.
- Bear your own responsibility towards the health and safety of yourself and others and respect each others views.
- If you’re planning to use music in a public space, also outside, make sure to take the surroundings into account.
- There might be local differences on the enforcement of group forming. The most convenient is to check the website of your municipality to see if there are any mentioned rules or conditions.
What happens if I do not follow the rules?
The fine if you’re not following the corona measures is €390,-. This fine is easily avoidable by just keeping a 1.5m distance.
In the end it is all about coming together with your dance friends and creating a nice and positive atmosphere.
Have fun and initiate your own LOTS!
We hope we’ve inspired you to start your own LOTS, and don’t forget to share the pictures with us in the app or via info@movely.nl
Enjoy!
#spreadpositivevibes
Sources (Dutch):
Rijksoverheid – stappen na 1 juni in eenvoudige taal