Calvary Baptist Church COVID-19 Protocols

 

Understanding the Risk:

  • The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads in several ways, including through droplets when a person coughs or sneezes, and from touching a contaminated surface before touching the face. Higher risk situations require adequate protocols to address the risk.
  • The risk of person-to-person transmission is increased the closer you come to other people, the
    amount of time you spend near them, and the number of people you come near. Physical
    distancing measures help mitigate this risk.
  • The risk of surface transmission is increased when many people contact the same surface, and when those contacts happen in short intervals of time. Effective cleaning and hygiene practices help mitigate this risk.

 

Protocols for In Person Gatherings:


Signing in: Screening Questions, Contact Tracing & Temperature check:

  • There will be a forehead temperature check done upon entry.
  • A short series of questions will be asked before entering the event.
    1. Do you have fever, cough, chills, sore throat, muscle pain, shortness of breath or new loss of taste or smell?
    2. Are you in close contact with anyone who currently has any of these symptoms or has tested positive for COVID?
    3. Have you or anyone is your household travelled anywhere outside of Canada in the last two weeks?
  • If anyone answers yes to any of these questions they will not be permitted to attend the event and should head over to take the self-assessment tool at https://bc.thrive.health/covid19/en to find out more and get help if needed.
  • Contact Tracing Information will be collected upon arrival. Contact tracing information will be kept on file for 30 days.
  • We will also ask that if symptoms arise during, or post event that they report it immediately to Calvary Baptist Church, or if they have any privacy concerns to report to the public health authority. If Calvary Baptist Church becomes aware of an outbreak then they will immediately report that information to the public health authority.

High Risk Individuals:

  • We encourage individuals who are at high risk for disease to stay at home and provide information about alternative programming (Online Video At Home).
  • Kids Programming: there will be limited kids programming at the moment, due to the amount of challenges with safe distancing. Please refer to ‘Safety Procedures for Youth/Children’s Ministry Events’ more information.

In Person Worship Gatherings: Safe Distancing

Traffic Flow:

  • Attendees will enter the building using safe distance markers on the walkway and floor. One
    household at a time will be directed into the sanctuary, and immediately into their seats. Upon
    exit each section will leave separately towards the allocated exit doors, and will require to safe
    distance as they leave.
  • The ushers will monitor this process to make sure attendees follow directions and restrictions.
  • A reservation system with general admission will be used for service reservations, which will be
    capped at 49. (This number is in addition to Staff and Volunteers).
  • All church pews have a designated number where each person/household can sit while
    maintaining proper social distancing.
  • During a service, people who leave must not be replaced by other people.

Common Areas:

  • Social interactions will be limited inside the facility and will be encourage to take place outside before or after the events. The foyer will only be used for safe people movement, screening and
    reservation checks.
  • There will be no hugging, shaking hands or any gesture that would involve coming into contact
    with another person.
  • Washrooms will have signage indicating max capacity based on size of washrooms to maintain
    safe distancing. It will also be managed by the Foyer Usher to monitor traffic in and out of washrooms. In the case of an emergency situation, the usher can redirect that person to the lower washroom, (that is not allocated for weekend gathering use).

Gatherings:

  • Attendees will be encouraged to stay in their seats during the service to maintain safe
    distancing.
  • Sanitization/Hygiene Common Surfaces: Doors will be opened and managed by ushers to limit
    contact. All surfaces will be wiped down by the custodian team.
  • If there is a live music team or presenter on the stage, a physical barrier must be installed
    between them and the people attending which blocks transmission of droplets from the
    presenter/musicians and people attending, or there must be a three metre separation between
    them.
  • Singing:
    • Limit singing as much as possible.
    • Singing outdoors is ideal.
    • Singing should be avoided in unventilated rooms.
    • Limit the number of people singing indoors.
    • Break into smaller groups or sing for a shorter amount of time.

  • If there is more than one service or group using the same space, there must be an hour gap between the end time and start time. This will help the team transition and sanitize the facility, as well as make sure we have enough transition time for attendees to exit the building and leave the premise before the next event.

Sanitizing Stations:

  • There are sanitization stations where we require everyone to sanitize their hands before they
    enter facility or washrooms where touching surfaces or doors are required.

Washrooms:

  • Custodian team will follow the sanitization schedule common areas as well as a deep clean
    between services.

Cloth Face Coverings:

  • All staff and volunteers and attendees are required to wear a face covering at all times (even
    when singing). Attendees in the facility are required to wear a mask as they enter the building. If
    they do not have one we will provide a disposable mask at arrival.
  • Ventilation: opening as many doors and windows as possible to allow fresh air into the facility.

Concurrent Gatherings:

  • If there are two groups using the building concurrently, each group must be completely separate
    with a separate entrance and washroom. There is to be no contact with anyone outside each
    group.

Food/Drink Service:

  • Serving food or drink is not recommended during any of these events, but if you really have to,
    they must be pre-packaged items, individually wrapped, or grab and go style.
  • There will be no food or drink service on a Sunday in-person service.
  • If there is a self-serve drink station:
    • Hand washing facilities or alcohol-based sanitizers are within easy reach of the station.
    • Signs reminding people to wash or sanitize their hands before touching a self-serve
      drink station and to maintain a two-metre distance from other people must be posted
      at the self-serve station.
    • High touch surfaces at the station, utensils that are used for self-serve, and condiments
      are cleaned and sanitized between uses, or have designated servers at drink stations.
  • It is required that anyone who is prepping or serving coffee/tea, wear gloves and a mask, and
    should wash their hands after removing gloves. Please use disposable cups and utensils.
  • Sanitize drink prepping area after each use.
  • It is also important to disinfect surfaces on a regular basis. Please insure everyone can safe
    distance at all times, this includes groups of people lining up for drinks as well as the dining set
    up.
  • If there are tables provided, no more than six people to sit at a table, even if they belong to the
    same party, and there are at least two metres between the backs of the chairs at one table and
    the backs of the chairs at another table, unless thee chairs are separated by a physical barrier.

Communion:

  • If communion is taken, there will be ushers wearing masks and gloves that will hand out
    individually wrapped, disposable communion sets. There will be a designated bin to dispose of
    the cups at the exit doors.

Offering:

  • Offering will only be taken via online giving, e-transfer, regular mail, direct deposit or the drop-
    off boxes provided at an in person service.
    Small Groups:

Small Groups:

  • As per the BC Government Regulations, please limit your small groups to six people in addition
    to your family group.

Children/Youth Program Procedures:

 

*All protocols are subject to change at any time depending upon the BC Government Health Authority’s regulations.