A new guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health strongly discourages the custom of dancing during weddings or other “significant life events” to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Instead, the guidance recommends “chair dancing,” which is the practice of “moving to the music while seated in chairs at least six feet apart.”
This can be “a creative way to maintain distance and still dance with your arms and legs,” says the guidance.
The new guidance, called “Gathering Requirements for Celebrations and Significant Life Events,” was released Tuesday following Gov. Tim Walz’s announcement of new restrictions on bars, restaurants, public events and private gatherings.
“Dancing has a higher risk of spreading COVID-19 and is strongly discouraged. Dancing, like other vigorous physical activity, results in heavier breathing and increases the volume of respiratory droplets being released into the air,” states the document. “Because of this, dancing at social gatherings and events is not recommended.”
If people do decide to dance, “everyone must wear face coverings” and “maintain a distance of at least six feet between different households.”
Health officials recommend limiting the “number of people on the dance floor at the same time,” designating one person to enforce distancing and masking, and dividing participants into groups so they can access “the dance floor at different times.”
“Repeat or split popular songs if necessary so everyone can enjoy the music in succession,” says another recommendation.
Other recommendations include “socially distanced line dancing” or “limiting dancing to ceremonial dances with designated participants.”
Gov. Walz’s Tuesday executive order mandates phased-in event caps, limiting the number of people who can attend “celebrations and receptions” to 50 people by Nov. 27 and 25 people by Dec. 11.
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
