COVID POLICIES & FACILITY GUIDELINES

As we reopen our doors to worship services, small groups, and other activities, we must proceed with caution for the safety and well-being of our members, guests, and staff. All church members, church and day school staff, leaders, volunteers, parishioners and visitors shall wear facial covering/mask that covers the mouth and nose and shall make every effort to maintain a distance from other individuals while on church campus. Individuals on campus are encouraged to frequently sanitize their hands by washing them and/or utilization of hand sanitizing stations located throughout the campus.

All church members, church and day school staff and leaders and volunteers are encouraged to get vaccinated when it is available to them. Research is not complete on transmission of the virus by vaccinated persons, but the preliminary indications are that vaccinated persons are also less likely to be transmitters of the virus.

If a person tests positive, they can return to work 10 days after that if they are at least 3 days without symptoms.

If a visitor (e.g. small group member, Sunday worshiper) to the church reports a positive Covid test, or is someone who has spent more than 15 minutes in close contact with someone who has tested positive, we will immediately close the public areas of the church (fellowship hall, sanctuary) for 48 hours and all meetings/events previously scheduled during that time period will be canceled. Confidential contact tracing will be initiated. All efforts will be made to reschedule events, but no guarantee is provided.  If we are able to verify that the area of the church facility affected is limited, then we will close that portion of the facility only. If staff or volunteers can thoroughly clean that part of the facility and it can be reopened as soon as the cleaning is complete and all surfaces have been able to air dry. CDC guidelines do not recommend cleaning and disinfection within the first 24hrs.

If a Boutique visitor or volunteer reports a positive Covid test, or is someone who has spent more than 15 minutes in close contact with someone who has tested positive, they must immediately report to the Boutique Manager, quarantine, and produce a negative test before returning to the Boutique. Confidential contact tracing will be initiated.

If an office staff member reports a positive Covid test, or is someone who has spent more than 15 minutes in close contact with someone who has tested positive, they must immediately quarantine and produce a negative test before returning to work. Confidential contact tracing will be initiated.

If a Day School staff member reports a positive Covid test, or is someone who has spent more than 15 minutes in close contact with someone who has tested positive, they must immediately notify the Day School Director, quarantine, and produce a negative test before returning to work. Confidential contact tracing will be initiated. Depending on the exposure, the decision may be made to require the affected classroom members to stay home for 10 calendar days.

All reports of positive Covid tests/exposure will be held in strictest confidence by the church and names will not be released.

Only staff members are allowed in the church office area from Monday-Sunday and use of the public restrooms at the sanctuary from Monday-Saturday. Visitors will be directed to the single restroom near the main kitchen. Visitors will be allowed use of the public restrooms on Sunday, with a deep cleaning afterwards.

Use of restrooms in the office hallway are restricted to Day School employees.

Staff members who participate in the Sunday worship services will be tested on Saturday. A negative Covid test is required. Volunteers who are socially distanced and wearing a mask are encouraged, but not required, to be tested. Ushers may be asked for a negative test depending on the circumstances.

All events MUST be approved and placed on the Church Activity Calendar by Martha Ross. Any other permission or indication of permission from another staff member does not reserve the space. In some cases, approval of the space by the Senior Pastor may be needed. In those instances, Martha Ross will contact Peter Cottrell prior to placing the event on the calendar.

This policy covers all facilities held by the church, including but not limited to, the sanctuary, fellowship hall, classrooms, courtyard, parking lot, Columbus House, Boutique, and the Hospitality House.

                                                                                          Feb. 22, 2021

The Medical team believes that trying to be consistent with the most current CDC guidelines if possible is the best policy in reducing and mitigating the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Recommendations are evolving and changing as more information from experience and research is obtained. Yes, it is a challenge to keep up with them. 

1.      Regarding who needs to quarantine:  The most updated CDC document, “When to Quarantine”, updated Feb. 11, 2021 has a more extensive list of who should quarantine.  It also answers your question about direct and indirect contact.  Click on link for the full document.

COVID-19: When to Quarantine | CDC

“People who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19—excluding people who have had COVID-19 within the past 3 months.

  • People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recovered do not have to quarantine or get tested again as long as they do not develop new symptoms.
  • People who develop symptoms again within 3 months of their first bout of COVID-19 may need to be tested again if there is no other cause identified for their symptoms.
  • People who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they have been fully vaccinated against the disease within the last three months and show no symptoms.

What counts as close contact?

  • You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more
  • You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
  • You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them)
  • You shared eating or drinking utensils
  • They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you

The Volusia County Schools has adopted the policy above and requires a negative PCR test on Day 6 or later if testing for an early release from quarantine.

COVID-19 Quarantine Period Shortened to 10 Days | Volusia County Schools (vcsedu.org)