COVID guidelines for attending worship services
Guidance Summary
If you don’t feel safe, feel unwell or are told to isolate, please join us on our live stream.
Use hand sanitizer when you enter.
All legal requirements and restrictions have been lifted and it is down to each church to decide how it plans to keep everyone safe.
Good ventilation, diligence in hygiene, wearing a face covering in enclosed and crowded spaces, and limiting contact with those we do not live with, are all noted as beneficial behaviours.
General
If you do not feel safe attending the church building currently, then please don’t feel pressure to attend.
If you are feeling unwell or have been asked to isolate, please stay at home, and join the live stream.
We will continue to live stream the service via ZOOM each week.
However you are feeling about the lifting of restrictions please put others first, remembering the exhortation in Ephesians 4 to "be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
Track and Trace
Most people attending church services are already in the church database. If a case is confirmed after a service or gathering in the building, a church email will be sent to everyone in the database.
For those who are visitors we will encourage them to leave contact details.
Washing Hands and Hand Sanitizer
Washing hands is one of the simplest precautions you can take in helping to keep people safe and reduce the spread of the virus. Guidance on effective hand washing is next to all the sinks in the church.
When entering the building or moving from one space or task to another please use the hand sanitizer provided.
Social distancing
Social distancing is one of the simplest ways to avoid transmission of viruses.
Although restrictions have been lifted, please don’t assume people feel safe or happy with physical contact or being at a closer distance than 2m. Therefore, please maintain a 1M+ distance when interacting with others and ask individuals before engaging in physical contact such as handshakes, hugging or kissing. Please be understanding of those who wish to continue to wear a mask inside our buildings.
Social distancing and seating
The rows in church will be 1m+ apart. Some gaps will be left in the seating to allow different groups to be able to distance themselves. Please do not move the chairs, if you need an additional chair please ask a steward.
Children
Children 12 and under do not need to wear a mask.
We are working on establishing kids church and creche on Sunday mornings.
There is a video link to the service in the church lounge so that if parents prefer, they can watch the service and have space for children to play or do their own activities.
Parents are responsible for the supervision of their own children in this space.
Socialising
Socialising before and after a service.
Having time to talk with others is such an important part of gathering.
To reduce risk, we ask you to move your conversations outside and not hang around in the building longer than needed.
Cleaning
As more people use the building cleaning down surface and used items should be encouraged to maintain a hygienic and clean environment.
We will provide appropriate disinfectant sprays and cleaning products. It is each user’s responsibility to clean down after use.
Ventilation
Good ventilation helps reduce the spread of the virus.
Good ventilation will be maintained in the building through the opening of windows and doors as appropriate. Please bring additional clothing to put on if you are cold
Leading Worship
Those taking the service, preaching, praying, leading worship and those in the band will not be required to wear face coverings but will remain socially distance of 1m+ if from different households.
Welcome and stewarding
Physical contact should be minimised where possible.
Therefore, avoid hand shaking and hugging instead an elbow bump might be appropriate. (As outlined in 'social distancing above’).