Church Re-Opening Guidelines

Some Examples of Church Reopening Guidelines

This limitations will be in effect for 21 days and then they will be reevaluated by the health department.

This guidance does not obligate places of worship to resume in-person activity. Further, it is strongly recommended that places of worship continue to facilitate remote services and other related activities for those who are vulnerable to COVID19 including older adults and those with co-morbidities.

Key prevention practices include:

physical distancing to the maximum extent possible,

use of face coverings by employees and volunteers (where respiratory protection is not required) and congregants/visitors,

frequent handwashing and regular cleaning and disinfection,

training employees and volunteers on these and other elements of the COVID-19 prevention plan.

Limit attendance to 25 percent of the building’s capacity, or a maximum of 100 people, whichever is lower.

Provide temperature screenings at the door and requiring all congregants and staff to wear face coverings, use hand sanitizer frequently and practice physical distancing.

Houses of worship who choose to hold in-person services or meetings should try and do them outdoors whenever possible.

Services should be shortened to limit the amount of time congregants are spending around one another.

Places of worship should also consider discontinuing singing in situations “where there is increased likelihood for transmission from contaminated exhaled droplets.”

Thoroughly disinfect common areas regularly and avoid sharing items such as prayer books, cushions and prayer rugs or passing around offering plates. If items must be shared, they should be disinfected between each use.

Limiting touching for religious and/or cultural purposes…to members of the same household, discouraging congregants from hugging or shaking hands and removing from service or finding low-community touch alternatives for communal/religious water containers.

Encourage staff and congregants/visitors who are sick or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, or who have family members who are ill, to stay home.

Employers should provide and ensure workers and volunteers use all required protective equipment, including eye protection and gloves, where necessary.

Perform thorough cleaning of high traffic areas such as lobbies, halls, chapels, meeting rooms, offices, libraries, and study areas and areas of ingress and egress including stairways, stairwells, handrails, and elevator controls. Frequently disinfect commonly used surfaces including doorknobs, toilets, handwashing facilities, pulpits and podiums, donation boxes or plates, altars, and pews and seating areas.

Establish frequent cleaning and disinfection of personal work areas such as desks and cubicles and supply the necessary cleaning products. Provide time for workers to implement cleaning practices during their shift. Cleaning assignments should be assigned during working hours as part of the staff’s job duties.

Places of worship must take reasonable measures, including posting signage in strategic and highly-visible locations, to remind congregants/visitors that they should use face coverings and practice physical distancing whenever possible. Babies and children under age two should not wear face coverings, in accordance with CDC guidelines.