Step 1
Begins June 11, 2021

July 16, 2021 version

Cross Roads Be in Christ Church

COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan
 

In-person gatherings for prayer and worship are permitted within certain conditions, as described by the Government of Ontario and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.  Cross Roads Be in Christ Church desires to prioritize the safety of our congregation and community by respecting government and public health guidelines while gathering for times of in-person worship and small groups.
 

Attendance Limits for worship services:

• Worship service attendance will be limited to permit 2 metres physical distancing between individuals / household units.

Screening

• All individuals, including children, will be asked to self-screen for COVID-19 like symptoms prior to arrival.

• Attendees at worship gatherings or other events will be recorded for contact tracing purposes.

• We will deny entry to any individual who:

*Has COVID-19 symptoms

*Has come in close contact with a person with symptoms of COVID-19 or who has come in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, in the past 14 days.

*Has travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days

• A COVID-19 self-screening poster will be posted at the entrance door.

Registration

• We will require pre-registration for services and events.   

•  If guests arrive who have not pre-registered, we will allow entry only if pre-registration has not surpassed our registration capacity and they screen for COVID-19 symptoms. 

• We will keep attendance lists for contact tracing purposes.   These lists may be destroyed after 60 days.

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Pre-and Post-service Socialization:

• The preferred location for socialization will be outside the building in a way that respects physical distancing (2 meters apart).  

• Socialization in the church will be permitted but physical distancing should be maintained.

• Signs will be posted requiring physical distancing

Flow and physical distancing while in the building

• Both the main entrance and the accessible entrance will be available to enter and exit the building.  

• The coat racks will not be used.  People will be encouraged to bring their personal belongings with them to their seat in the sanctuary or leave them in their vehicles.

Entry and exit procedures and timing

• Those involved in service leadership may enter prior to the service for rehearsal / set up while adhering to all health and safety requirements

• Service or event attendees are encouraged to arrive no more than 15 minutes prior to the start of the event.

Hand Hygiene

• Hand sanitizer will be provided at the entrance with a sign requiring each person to use it upon entry

• Soap and water and signage instructing about proper hand washing will be in the washrooms.

Masks

• By order of Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health non-medical face masks will be required during all indoor worship services and gatherings inside the church (unless where someone is exempt from wearing a mask under public health regulations)

• Masks are not mandatory outdoors when 2 metres physical distancing can be maintained.

• Face shields are not a substitute for a mask, but may be used in addition to a mask if desired

• Disposable masks will be provided for those who have forgotten to bring their own

• People are encouraged to launder their masks regularly and bring a clean mask for use at the service.

Seating arrangements in the sanctuary

• Seating for Sunday worship will be individual or in small family / household clusters physically distanced by 2 meters from other clusters

• Seating may be assigned based on pre-registration.  Or if registration is lower people may choose their own seats.

• The number of individuals per-service will vary based on household cluster numbers and physical distancing requirements.

Addressing capacity limitations

• The foyer and basement offer secondary seating locations that may be utilized if need arises.

Tech team / sound booth protocols

• Tech team members will be physically distanced as much as possible

• Masks will be required at all times especially if physical distancing is not possible

• Equipment should not be shared in one service and should be disinfected after / before use or left to quarantine for a minimum of 72 hours.

Worship Team / on stage protocols

• Those involved in indoor, on-stage elements of a live service are required to wear a mask unless they are actively speaking / singing (as permitted by public health regulations)

• The stage should be set up in a way that respects 2 meters physical distancing between non-family / household members

• Microphones should not be shared in one service and should be disinfected after use or left to quarantine for a minimum of 72 hours.

Baptism / Dedications

• Baptisms and dedications may proceed but will be modified to comply with physical distancing and mask requirements

Weddings / Funerals

• Cross Roads’ pastors will officiate at weddings and funerals providing attendance limitations are respected and public health guidelines are followed

• Cross Roads facility may be used for weddings and funerals if attendance limitations are maintained, support is provided to maintain physical distancing among guests, and cleaning costs are covered.  

Singing

• Indoor singing is permitted by the worship team and congregation.  The worship team is not required to wear a mask when singing but must maintain a minimum of 2 metres physical distance from others when doing so.  Congregational participants must wear a mask when singing.

• Outdoor singing will be permitted if participants practice physical distancing.

Communion and Worship Aids

• Communion will only be participated in if people bring their own elements from home or with individual pre-packaged communion elements.

• Worship aids such as hymn books will not be used.  Readings, song lyrics etc. will be either projected or printed on a song sheet that is for individual use only and will be discarded after the service

Offering

• Passing of the offering plate will be suspended.  An offering box or basket will be available for cash or cheque donations.

• We will encourage online giving yet still accept physical donations of cash and cheques in the offering box / basket or by mail.

• Tellers will practice good hand hygiene during the counting of the offering and must wear a mask if they are counting with a second teller.  Disposable gloves will be available if desired.

Coffee / Refreshments, and meals

• Shared coffee, refreshments, and potlucks will be on hold until further notice

• People may bring their own food or beverage that is not shared with others outside their household and may temporarily remove / lower their masks to consume indoors.

Online Worship Option

• Online Sunday worship will continue to be made available.  We want all people to feel included and have the opportunity to worship with us.  Returning to in-person gathering is a personal decision that should only be made when each person is ready.

Children’s Ministry

• We anticipate our regular, Sunday morning, in-person children’s ministry will be on hold until January 2021.

• Parents are encouraged to bring children to worship services and events if they are able to maintain physical distancing and follow other health and safety protocols.

• Special children’s / family events may occur with church approval and adherence to public health protocols.

Youth Ministry

• Youth may meet online or in person outdoors or indoors adhering to social gatherings limits and regulations.

•  Meeting plans must be reviewed and approved by the lead pastor.  

• Masks are required for all youth in person gatherings indoors and outdoors when there is the possibility that 2 metres physical distancing may not be maintained.  

• Pre-Registration and self-screening for COVID-19 like symptoms will be required for in person gatherings.

Small Groups

• Small groups will be limited to a maximum of 25 participants indoors or outdoors provided physical distancing can be maintained.  

• Small group participants will pre-register for the group (once) and will agree to self-screen for COVID-19 like symptoms before attending any meeting

• Groups may meet indoors or outdoors at the church at private homes.  Meeting location and arrangement must be approved by the pastor.

• A meeting attendance list will be maintained

• No shared food or drink will be served.  However, participants my bring their own.

• Participants should not attend a small group if they:

*Have COVID-19 symptoms

*Have come in close contact with a person with symptoms of COVID-19 or who has come in close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19, in the past 14 days.

*Have travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days

Access to additional Rooms

• The nursery will only be available to parents / caregivers of young children for diaper changing and feeding only

Washroom usage

• The washrooms will be available for use

• Signage about public health requirements and hand hygiene will be posted

• Washroom facilities will be disinfected between services / events and not after each individual use. 

Cleaning of church surfaces

• The church will be deep cleaned weekly by the custodian using cleaners with an 8 digit Drug Identification Number recommended by the Ontario government and public health

• If a small group meets before or after the weekly deep cleaning of the church, they will be responsible to appoint a cleaning volunteer(s) to disinfect high touch surfaces after the event.

• Cleaning volunteers must follow the written instructions provided and if they are unclear ask for direction from the custodian or pastor.

• Chairs that have been used will be left to quarantine for at least 72 hours before being used again.

• The sanctuary chairs will be marked with coloured tape to allow them to be quarantined and rotated between groups using the church building.  Chairs will be rotated if less than 72 hours separates group use of the building.

Rental / Non-Church Use of the Church Facility

• The church may be rented / used by non-church groups provided COVID-19 health and safety regulations are followed, supervision arrangements are in place, and a cleaning plan has been approved.

• All rentals / facility use bookings must be approved by the Lead Pastor.

• People are able to meet outdoors on the grounds

Should someone develop COVID-19 like symptoms while at the Church

• If anyone develops even one symptom of COVID-19 during the service or meeting they should leave the church immediately and self-isolate.  It is also advised they visit an assessment centre to be tested for COVID-19 and follow all guidance and direction from their local public health department.

Step 2
Begins June 30, 2021

Step 3
Begins July 16, 2021