Church Guidelines 2020

Comprehensive COVID-19 Exposure Control, Mitigation, and Recovery Plan

 

Yakima Fairview Seventh-day Adventist Church

07/06/2020

The health and safety of our members is a priority for our church. This plan puts measures in place to protect the health of our members and staff and is in compliance with current guidelines issued by the state of Washington for in-person worship services during Phase 1 Modified and Phase 2 of re-opening.

A COVID-19 supervisor will be designated and present during worship services each week to monitor and enforce the COVID-19 safety plan.

COVID-19 safety information and requirements are visibly posted in the church. COVID-19 safety training is available online and all staff, members, and visitors are encouraged to view the training prior to attending worship services [training will be available at https://www.yakimafairviewsda.org/covid-training].  Those at high-risk for COVID-19 are encouraged to participate in the online worship service rather than attending in person.

General Information

All members, guests, and staff must self-screen for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 before arriving at the worship service location. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4°F or higher, with symptoms of COVID-19, or has been asked to self-quarantine because of known exposure to COVID-19 is not permitted to attend the service.

A maximum of 75 individuals (25% of seating capacity in the sanctuary), excluding church staff, are permitted at the worship service when the service is held indoors. A maximum of 100 individuals, excluding church staff, are permitted at the worship service when the service is held outdoors.

Location of Service

For our reopening we will be having our main service in the sanctuary

Church Service: Outline of Program

Adult Sabbath School classes will resume, and all Children Sabbath School classes are suspended on church premises until further notice.

11:00 – 12:15am – Church Service.

This consist of welcome & announcements, opening prayer, opening song, praise and prayer time (cards available at entrance), intercessory prayer, Children’s story (from the front while children stay with their family in their seats), bible message, closing prayer, dismissal.

Tithe & Offering can be dropped off on your way out by the exit.   Children’s offering for the “Worthy Student” fund can also be given there in an envelope.

Potlucks

There will be no Potlucks until further notice.

When You Arrive

The building will be accessed through the west entrance only. These doors are propped open to minimize surface contact. All other doors will remain locked from the outside. Members and visitors are asked to exit through the other doors if necessary, to maintain physical distancing of at least six feet.

Physical distancing of a six-foot radius will be maintained by individuals or family groups consisting of members of the same household.  Seats that are to remain unused will be marked. An usher or deacon will be assigned to assist in seating attendees to ensure that this is followed.

Sanctuary doors, hallway doors, and windows will remain open during services to improve ventilation and to reduce surface contact. 

For Everyone’s Protection

Face coverings must be worn by all persons in attendance before, during, and after the service. Direct physical contact between persons in attendance is not permitted.  Offerings will be collected at the main door of the church. No offering plate is passed.

Equipment will be used by only one person during a worship service. This includes microphones, pianos, organs, and other items normally passed between participants. Equipment will be cleaned and disinfected after each use.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer with greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol is available at the outside doors, the sanctuary entrance, and the deacon’s desk. Tissues and trashcans are available in the same locations.

Restrooms

Restrooms are open. Access is limited to no more than two people at a time unless they are members of the same household. Individuals waiting to use the restrooms must maintain at least six feet of distance between each person. Signs are posted in the restrooms reminding people to wash their hands and displaying correct handwashing technique. Disinfectants are also available in each restroom.

Facility Cleaning and Disinfection

The church will be cleaned and disinfected after each worship service. There will be a special focus on high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs and crash bars, restrooms, equipment, and tables. Disinfectants used will include one of the following: Common EPA-registered household disinfectant, alcohol solution with at least 60% alcohol, or a diluted household bleach solution. Disinfectants are available at the deacon’s desk for use on high-touch surfaces during the worship services.

After the Worship Service

Attendees are asked to keep track of their attendance at in-person worship services on their own calendar. All members and regular guests will be notified if an individual attending worship services is diagnosed with COVID-19. This notice will include the date of potential exposure. Privacy of the individual will be maintained. Those attending services where potential exposure occurred will be asked to self-quarantine until cleared by a health care professional.

Participation

Each person is not obligated to attend church if he/she does feel safe to be attending church for health reasons or for other personal reasons.  If you hold a leadership position(s) at the church and don’t feel safe attending church, you are not obligated to fulfill that/those commitment(s) as we begin reopening.  Please let your ministry coordinator know of your concern(s) if you are contacted by them.

Livestreaming

We are currently working on setting up the necessary audio/visual components to have our live stream services available for those that who would like to have the option of watching the service from home.  For more information visit: www.yakimafairviewsda.org/