Covid Guidelines for Bethel Murdoch Church – Currently in PHASE 3

Church Opening and Closing Guidelines during Covid-19 Pandemic

Phase 1 Restricted Operations         Phase 2 Limited Operations                 Phase 3 Steady Operations

Decision Guide

The decision to move from phase to phase will be made based upon decreasing or zero new cases of Covid-19 over at least three consecutive weeks within your region and state.

STAY HOME IF…

· You have a temperature of 100.4 or higher.

· You have other symptoms of illness. (CDC Guidelines)

o Cough                   o Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

o Fever                     o Chills

o Muscle pain         o Sore throat

o Loss of taste or smell

· You have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms. If there is any chance you might be a risk to others, please stay home.

· You are in a vulnerable group. (CDC Guidelines)

o Over the age of 60

o Compromised immune systems or comorbid condition (i.e. high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, asthma, chemotherapy)

· Take your temperature before coming to church to ensure it is below 100

· Wear a mask covering your nose and mouth.

· Use the hand sanitizer in the dispensers on the way in and out of church.

· Practice good social distancing by staying at least 6 feet apart.

· Sit only with your cohabitating family/friends in marked pews.

· WAVE. Do NOT shake hands or hug.

· Use a tissue if you cough or sneeze.

· Wash your hands frequently.

· All surfaces will be sanitized before and after worship.

            IN-PERSON WORSHIP

· Please use MAIN entrance off of the parking lot.

· Masks covering nose and mouth must be worn.

· Hands will be sanitized as you enter the sanctuary.

· Seating will be available where indicated in open pews. Do not sit in roped off pews to maintain social distancing.

· Sit ONLY with cohabiting family/friends.

· Maintain 6 feet between yourself and others. NO handshaking or hugs.

· Ushers will dismiss people row by row. Please exit the building.

· The church doors will remain open and no air conditioning/ceiling fans will be used.

· No nursery.

· Offering plates will be available at all sanctuary exits.

· The singing of hymns is postponed until further notice. However, music will continue to be a significant part of the service. Hymnals and Bibles will be removed. Please bring your own Bible if you wish.

· The worship bulletin will be available online to print at home and bring. Only a limited number of bulletins will be available for those without email.

· ONLY the sanctuary and marked bathrooms will be used. One person at a time in the bathrooms always.

 · ALL other areas and entrances are closed. Please observe posted signs.

 · Masks covering nose and mouth must be worn.

 · Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the building.

 · Maintain 6 feet between yourself and others.

 · NO handshakes or hugs.

 · Offering plates will be available at all sanctuary exits.

 · All words for hymns and readings will be printed.

 · Please observe signs for areas in the building that can be entered.

Session may elect to re-close the church and worship under any of the following reports or conditions. Congregation members will be immediately notified.

· Anyone who has active COVID and has been in the church building / in contact with church staff and/or someone in the congregation within the previous week

· Anyone who has symptoms of COVID (such as fever, chills, cough, loss of taste/smell, etc.) and has been in the church building / in contact with church staff and/or someone in the congregation within the previous week

· Anyone who has been told they’ve come into contact with someone positively diagnosed and has been in the church building / in contact with church staff and/or someone in the congregation within the previous week

· A significant localized outbreak to the church or staff (or key volunteers) home locations

· Increase in county reported cases of COVID more than 10% of the state report for more than three consecutive days

· Governor begins to re-order public closures (restaurants, bars, gyms, etc.) of either the county, region or state

NOTE:

If anyone who attends worship tests positive or develops symptoms, please call the church office without delay. The church will be closed immediately and everyone who may have had contact or been exposed will be notified.

The Health Department will also be notified with your contact information.