Updates on LIFT Operations – March 2022

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Dear Members and Community,

Thank you for your continued patience as we work towards creating a safer environment in order to access LIFT rentals, facilities and resources. Our equipment rentals and facilities continue to be available to accessing members. As Ontario continues its pathway to re-opening, we want to reiterate LIFT’s current safety protocols that we have put in place. Please find details below for each department.

Masks must be worn at all times while visiting the LIFT premises in accordance with the City of Toronto’s Mask or Face Covering By-Law 541-2020. Masks include cloth, PPE or N95 / KN95 / KF94 masks that cover both your mouth and nose at all times. Wearing face shields only and masks with breathing valves are insufficient and you will not be able to enter LIFT’s premises.

Collectively at LIFT, and as is our right under the new guidelines, the organization has decided to continue to enforce the showing of proof of vaccination for facilities rentals and in-person workshops.

Acceptable proof of COVID-19 vaccination includes one of the following:
– Ontario Ministry of Health COVID-19 vaccination receipts or Enhanced COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate with QR Code
– Confirmation of second shot from a low barrier clinic
– An equivalent proof of vaccination from your home location (if outside Ontario)

MEMBERSHIP
Renewals for recently expired Production Members wanting to rent again are now available. You should have received an email about your expiry and the next steps to renewing a couple of weeks ago—please check your spam folders!

New Production and Production Student memberships applications—for anyone who was not a recently expired renting member—are also available for purchase. Please keep in mind that new Production and Production Student memberships require a reference check, which takes approximately ten (10) business days. This reference check was part of LIFT’s membership process for many years before COVID-19.

General and General Student membership renewals, which were available during all of the closures, continue as usual. New General and General Student memberships are currently available to purchase online.

All membership applications and renewals can be done via the membership portal at https://lift.ca/lift-membership and payment options include PayPal, Credit Card or VISA Debit card. We do not accept cheques for membership, or any other type of LIFT products and services.

For any additional membership related inquiries, please email membership@lift.on.ca

LIFT STORE
– Store items are available for purchase via the online store. Current members can email their order to tech@lift.on.ca to receive their discounted rate. No phone orders, please.
– Store items will be shipped via Canada Post on Tuesdays and Fridays
– Drop-in purchases for store items are allowed again, but we encourage curbside pick up pre-arranged time slots. Curbside pick up and drop-in purchases are available between 11:00am and 4:00pm.
– Masks must be worn at all times while visiting the LIFT premises in accordance with the City of Toronto’s By-Law listed above.

MOBILE EQUIPMENT RENTALS
– Please review our updated rental policy as there have been substantial changes.
– Only current Production members or renewing Production members can rent equipment. New Production and Production Student Memberships applications are available (please note the 10-day reference check mentioned above).
– Designated person to pick up must be identified before they show up—can be a member or someone else. Valid photo identification is required (current Canadian driver’s license, Ontario Photo Card, or valid Passport. Canadian Health Cards are not accepted, see rental contract for details). It is expected that Production and Production Student members ensure the pickup person is informed of LIFT’s COVID-19 protocols.
– Masks must be worn at all times while visiting the LIFT premises in accordance with the City of Toronto’s By-Law listed above.
– Small kits (5 items or less) require 1-2 business days’ notice before pick up.
– Medium to large kits (6 items or more) require five (5) business days notice before pick up.
– Same-day booking is possible for one or two small items. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee same-day bookings, so booking in advance is highly recommended.
– Scheduled time slots for pick up and drop off.
– Equipment is quarantined for 48 hours between rentals and given UVC treatment if deemed necessary.
– Proof of COVID-19 vaccination as outlined above is required to be shown to staff in order to perform equipment tests or proficiency tests indoors prior to rental.
– Proficiency Tests are available. Members must reach out a week in advance to book a test.

POST-PRODUCTION FACILITIES RENTALS
– Facilities are available for Production and Production Student members only.
– Limit of two (2) people per facility room. A non-member is allowed as the second person (eg. Editor, Colourist, etc.). The LIFT member is liable for all equipment.
– Proof of COVID-19 vaccination as outlined above is required to be shown by each person using the facilities and will be checked at time of rental.
– Masks must be worn at all times while visiting the LIFT premises in accordance with the City of Toronto’s By-Law listed above.
– Air purifiers with HEPA filters will be in facility spaces that have a booking.
– No eating inside the facilities. Drinks allowed, but are to be kept off the tables. Kitchen is unavailable to members.
– Up to three (3) rooms in the entire facility are available for booking by different Production and Production Student members per day.
– Every room is quarantined for at least 24 hours between bookings.
– UVC treatment and surface disinfection is performed, if deemed necessary by staff.

WORKSHOPS
– Currently, only five (5) in-person workshops are scheduled for the Winter 2022 season, starting in April. Please see https://lift.ca/workshop-registration/ for workshop description and location.
– Proof of COVID-19 vaccination as outlined above is required for both instructors and participants.
– Masks must be worn at all times while visiting the LIFT premises in accordance with the City of Toronto’s By-Law listed above.
– Outside teaching will be incorporated (weather permitting).
– Large air purifiers with HEPA filters will be in working rooms related to workshops.
– No eating inside the facility. Drinks allowed. Kitchen will be unavailable to workshop participants.
– UVC treatment and surface disinfection are performed after each workshop.

We will monitor our CO2 levels in the coming months as occupancy fluctuates to identify any areas of concern in our ventilation system. Our March 1 baseline measurements of all rooms have an average of 550 ppm, which is in line with good air exchange.

LIFT’s operating hours are Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 6:00pm ET.

For any other additional matters, feel free to email staff:
https://lift.ca/contact-lift-2

Sincerely,
Chris Kennedy
Executive Director