Musical run by Drury Lane community theatre ends after positive COVID-19 cases

There are positive cases of COVID-19 linked with a musical production at a Burlington community theatre, but the local public health unit will not say how many people have been infected.

HaltonRegion Public Health says there have been "several confirmed cases" at Drury Lane, a musical theatre company in Burlington.

A message on the Drury Lanewebsite said that company members tested positive during their run ofLittle Shop of Horrors. The theatre company had two performances before it ended the run due to positive tests.

They closed their doors on Nov. 7 and a thorough sanitization of the theatre was being scheduled, says the website. A banner across the top saysLittle Shop of Horrorshas been "postponed."

Public health says it continues to investigate the outbreak and monitor the situation.

"With the measures in place, audience members are considered low risk and there have been no cases reported among customers," said public health.

CBC News has reached out to Drury Lane for comment.

In a Facebookcomment on their closureannouncement,Drury Lane said that because it was following the direction of public health and "privacy laws," it would not be sharing the number of people infected or any other information with the community at this time.

The theatre also said it had deleted comments off the page, "as requested."

It is unclear what precautions were taken by the company for their performances, though audiences were limited to 50 people.

Prior to closing, a document of COVID-19 precautions was available on the site, but only to those who submitted their email address and requested access.

The safety plan, which is now available to the public, says that cast, crewand volunteers are required to complete a COVID-19 screening self-assessment that is posted at each entrance to the theatre.

Recent COVID-19 tests are "recommended" before starting rehearsal, and a second test is recommended before starting technical week, where companies do full performances of the show ahead of opening night with other elements likelight and sound.

The website says the season has been put on hold and the audition call to Music Hall - A Variety Musicalhas been cancelled.