The most recently revised COVID-19 protocols for churches have seen a further easing of restrictions, which have been in place to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19 in Grenada.
The changes in the new document include reducing the physical distancing from 6-feet to 3-feet, duration of service extending from 2 hours to 2 and half hours and supervised children under five years being exempted from wearing a masks in some instances.
Further, outdoor crusades and other religious activities can now be held with a maximum of 75 persons.
The maximum number of persons to attend funerals, including at the graveside, has moved from 20 to 75 and receptions or ‘happy hour’ are allowed for up to three hours.
The number of persons to attend weddings and the subsequent reception has moved from 50 to 75 persons.
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COVID-19 PROTOCOLS #6
REOPENING OF CHURCHES/PLACE OF WORSHIP
The COVID-19 Protocols #1, for churches/place of worship, came into effect from May 14, 2020. These protocols were developed through consultation with representation from different religious organisations.
This protocol will be reviewed every 30 days. In an effort to prevent and control the spread of the coronavirus, churches wishing to reopen their doors to church membership and the general public, at this time, should be guided by the following protocols which come into effect from September 1, 2020.
The sections in bolded italics reflect the most recent changes.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
1. Complete and submit the online form (provided by the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development, Religious Affairs and Information, on May 14, 2020). This form provides information on what the church has put in place, or intends to put in place, to protect members and
visitors. Churches are only required to submit this form once, before the scheduled reopening date.
2. Calculate the number of attendees to be allowed in the building. The measurement to be used is 18 square feet, per person (using the seating space). Markers must be used on benches and chairs must be placed no less than 3 ft, in every direction. Families (individuals living in the same household) are exempted from physical distancing.
3. Provide, for each service, appropriate facilities and adequate supplies not limited to, but including, hand washing facilities, clean running water, soap, paper towels, hand sanitizer and disinfectant. A sanitizing station must be set up close to the door (hand sanitizer OR running water), for people
entering.
4. Establish a separate room in the building, or a space (inside the building, or outside) to accommodate an individual(s) who become/s sick during the service (with COVID-19 symptoms). A vehicle can also be assigned to immediately transport a person (without private transportation), who may become sick during the service. Additionally, the responsible party must call the COVID-19 Hotline immediately, to report the case and the COVID19 signs displayed.
5. Establish visible signs/notices encouraging members to observe the protocols and practices to prevent the spread COVID-19.
6. Share protocols and expectations with all members, before the date of reopening.
7. Church services are allowed on any day of the week, observing all protocols. Ministers of Religion must not continue a service, if members are not observing the protocols. Churches are encouraged
to continue other activities remotely. Ministers are encouraged to keep services within two and a half hours as members are expected to wear the mask for the duration of the service.
8. More than one service can be held on the same day, however there must be at least one hour between each service, to facilitate proper sanitization of the venue.
9. Ensure that all individuals entering the building are wearing a mask and that it is worn for the duration of the service, except in cases where individuals are 12 ft apart. When addressing the gathering, a speaker may remove his mask, but MUST observe physical distancing of at least 12 ft.
10. Due to the health related concerns, individuals with underlying health conditions, pregnant and nursing women, senior citizens and those who might not be able to wear a mask for the duration of the service are strongly encouraged to remain at home, for the time being.
Children under five (5) years, who are supervised by parents, will be exempted from wearing a mask if they are unable to.
11. Sanitize the building, before each service. Frequently touched areas must be carefully sanitized before and during each service. All cleaning products must be used according to the directions on the label. All cleaners must follow guidelines from the Ministry of Health. Masks and gloves must
be used by cleaners, at all times.
12. Ensure that transportation arrangements are in place, so that all individuals leave immediately after the service. The national regulations must be used to determine the number of individuals, from different homes, who can share a vehicle and the seating arrangements.
13. At the beginning of each service, announce the hygiene, sanitation and physical distancing protocols to be followed.
14. Strongly discourage all physical contact.
15. Use stationary boxes for the collection of monies and envelopes. Ensure a distance of 3 ft is maintained between those who are going to the box.
Ensure protocols are followed when handling monies, for example, the 3 ft physical distancing and use of appropriate hand sanitizer immediately after.
16. Ensure that physical distancing is observed and hand sanitizers are used during communion services. Individuals involved in administering communion must wear gloves, or use hand sanitizers (containing at least 70 percent alcohol). For religions where communion is administered by ‘sharing
of the cup’, please note that this is currently not allowed, as a health and safety precaution.
17. Where microphones and podiums are shared, they must be properly sanitized after each person uses them. Alternatively, hand sanitizers can be used to sanitize hands before and after use.
18. Avoid the use of Air Conditioning (AC) units. Keep all windows and doors opened, during the service, as much as possible.
RECORDS
Ministers of Religion are strongly encouraged to assign an individual who will monitor and encourage the implementation of the protocols and keep a register. This can be done by having one list and ticking off the names of persons who regularly attend each service, while visitors can be asked to
sign in.
In the event that a member, who attended a service, is tested positive for the virus this record will be used by the Ministry of Health to contact and test other individuals who attended the service on the given day.
FUNERALS
1. Funerals services (at the church, or graveside) are allowed any day of the week with services for a maximum of 1 hour, but will remain private and by invitation only. The total number of invitees is to be decided, based on the size of the church (Maximum 75 persons) and the protocol on physical distancing (persons sitting 3 ft apart). Ministers of Religion must remind persons attending the funeral of the need to wear a mask and to observe the 3ft physical distancing protocol, for persons who do not live in the same house.
A maximum of 75 people will be allowed at the graveside. No processions should be allowed on the way to the burial ground. Only a private reception for close friends and immediate family members
(maximum 75 people) will be allowed observing all the necessary protocols. Outdoor receptions are encouraged and the family must keep a record of the persons who attended the reception, in the event there is a need for contact tracing. Receptions should last for a maximum of 3 hours
BAPTISM
Where baptisms are held, persons involved must wear a mask and use
hand sanitizer (or wear gloves).
WEDDINGS
Weddings should be private and by invitation only. The amount of invitees/individuals at the service will be determined by the size of the church (maximum of 75 persons) and the protocol for physical distancing, (persons must sit at least 3 ft apart if they do not live in the same house).
A reception with no more than 75 people can be held for a maximum of 3 hours with persons observing physical distancing and wearing a mask. Outdoor receptions are encouraged and the family must keep a record of the persons who attended the reception in the event there is a need for contact tracing.
OTHER RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES/ACTIVITIES
All other ceremonies held in the church building must be held using the same protocols which guides church services.
OPENING OF CHURCH OFFICES
1. Church offices (community and national) can be opened to facilitate
Administrative, counselling and other services.
2. All relevant protocols must be observed.
PASTORAL CARE
Home visits for pastoral care can be done at any time, observing physical distancing and wearing of masks.
CRUSADES & OTHER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Outdoor crusades and other religious activities can be held. Live streaming is encouraged, to avoid mass gathering. A maximum of 75 people are allowed per activity. All protocols regarding physical distancing and wearing of masks must be observed.
Consideration will be given to a request to accommodate more than 75 people in such activities, however such a request must be submitted to the Minister for Religious Affairs outlining the venue, the expected number of people and the necessary structures that will be put in place, to ensure the
safety of those who will attend.
STREAMING LIVE
Where a church has not returned to the usual place of worship and has not submitted a reopening form, a group of up to 10 persons can use the church to record or stream live church services. All protocols related to physical distancing, wearing of a mask and sanitization must be observed.
VIOLATIONS
Like every other case, violations will be addressed through the regulations governing the national state of emergency. However, the opportunity will first be given to the head of the national organisation, to which the church belongs (where it is applicable), to put corrective measures in place, following a
meeting with the authorities referred to in the regulations.
KEY POINTS FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS BEFORE & DURING SERVICES
1. Maintain a 3ft distance, at all times.
2. Stay at home, if you are sick.
3. Stay at home, if an individual/s from your household has/have been suspected to have, or was/were tested positive with COVID-19.
4. Practice proper hygiene protocols. Wash hands often with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 70 percent alcohol, if soap and water is unavailable. Liquid hand soaps must not be diluted.
5. Cough and sneeze into tissue and discard the tissue, immediately after use, into a bin. If there is no tissue, cough into your inner elbow. Wash your hands immediately after coughing. Individuals must leave the building, if they are coughing constantly.
6. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
7. Avoid close physical contact with others.
8. Wear an appropriate face mask, covering your nose and mouth,
upon entering, leaving and while in the building.
9. Stay informed and follow the advice given by the Ministry of Health.
For further clarification and details, please call or email us, at:
• (473) 458 – 2580
• (473) 410 – 6832
• (473) 458 – 7371
• religiousaffairsgrenada@gmail.com
