COVID-19 CHURCH POLICIES
Westside Nazarene leadership believes it is important to hold indoor services with up to 25% capacity or 50 individuals, whichever is less, (excluding church staff). Church workers both paid and unpaid are not included in the maximum number of permissible individuals. The services covered in these operational guidelines include worship services, religious study classes, religious ceremonies, religious holiday celebrations, weddings, and funerals. Westside has always kept the attendance at each service and counseling session.
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COVID-19 safety information and requirement posters are visibly posted throughout the facility and outside.
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Access to the church is through the front doors. Entry to the sanctuary is through the first door to the left. The exit is from the central doors at the back of the sanctuary. Other access areas are closed.
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All in attendance shall wear face coverings. Face coverings will be available for anyone who needs one.
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There is no direct physical contact between members or visitors. Snacks and beverages will no longer be provided. A lockbox is available for members to put their tithes and offerings in.
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There is no choir at Westside Nazarene. The worship team is six feet from each other while leading the congregation in song.
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Two people at one time can have access to each restroom. While waiting outside the restrooms, individuals will be six feet apart.
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Soap and running water are readily available in all restrooms and the kitchen. Employees leave their work areas when needed to wash hands regularly. They do so before and after going to the bathroom, before and after eating. Employees also wash their hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers with greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol are provided and used. Sanitizers are not a replacement for hand washing.
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Disinfectants, cleaning supplies, as well as gloves are provided for all employees and attendees. They are purchased on a regular basis by church staff.
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High-touch surfaces are cleaned and disinfected after each use. This includes personal work- stations, mirrors, chairs, doorknobs, handrails, restrooms, kitchen, and nursery. In the nursery, mouthed toys will immediately be put in a container away from young children. All toys will be washed with soapy water, rinsed in hot water, rinsed in bleach water, and air-dried after each use. Any toys that can not be washed have been taken from the nursery.
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Westside Nazarene adheres to the physical distancing requirement of six feet of space by physical barriers and/or duct tape markers on the floor as well as congregational seating. Seating is reconfigured to the needs of the congregation and maintain the six feet apart requirement.
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Tissues and trash cans are located throughout the facility as well as hand sanitizer.
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Employees and congregation are informed by letter of the changes to the church to be compliant with COVID-19 requirements. They were informed to self-screen for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 before arriving at church. Any individual with a household member who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 will self- quarantine and not attend services. Church leadership contacts individuals who are in a high-risk category or others who are questioning whether they should attend and encouraged to view the services on Facebook Live.
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Until Phase 3, small group bible studies will be conducted through Zoom meetings. Sunday school classes for children and other church ministries will not resume until Phase