Covid-19 Precautions at Cole
Cole Auditorium staff are working with event organizers to enforce all restrictions, guidelines and implement all safety precautions as recommended by the NC Governor's Office, NC Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Richmond County Health Department to ensure that all events take place as safely as possible.
In light of the restrictions, the rental refund policies have been relaxed allowing for refunds to be issued to customers who events are not able to be held at the intented capacity. Every effort is made to reschedule events as dates are available. Refunds are issued via Richmond Community College check and mailed to the address on file. Allow 2-3 weeks for processing.
Current Restrictions
On Wednesday, April 28, 2021, NC Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 209 easing certain restrictions on gatherings. The current order and the restrictions below are set to expire on Tuesday, June 1, 2021.
Space Capacity Caps (updated by Executive Order 209, effective Friday, March 26, 2021)
Auditorium capacity limited to 50% capacity (484 people).*
Cole Lobby capacity limited to 75 people.**
A single banquet/meeting rooms limited to 50 people.**
Two banquet/meeting rooms limited to 100 people.**
Full banquet/meeting space (all 3 rooms) limited to 150 people.**
*6ft social distancing still required between groups not from the same household.
**Attendees must be spaced 6ft from people with whom they don't reside. Some table/setup layouts may not allow for stated capacity number.
Restrictions on Event Timing
Updated by Executive Order 204, there is no longer a Covid-19-related time restriction on events. College policy requires that all events end by 12:00 a.m. and that the building is secured by 1:00 p.m.
Restrictions on Attendees
Attendees of events must wear facemask while in the facility. Signs are posted around facility. Facemasks may be removed while an attendee is actively eating or drinking or speaking as part of the event.
Attendees are to practice social distancing. Signs are posted around facility.
Event organizers must plan for all event attendees to have a chair to sit in. Event attendees must remain seated for the entirety of the event unless the attendee is going to get food, going to the restroom, or exiting the room/facility.
Dancing or stand-up/mingling events are not permitted under the current restrictions nor can mingling, standing, or dancing be allowed as part of an event.
Safety Precautions
High-touch surfaces and high-traffic areas are being continually cleaned. You may notice staff cleaning these areas during events, where possible as to not interrupt the event.
Chairs are strategically placed to encourage social distancing of those not in a quarantine group.