This
Father’s Day, 21 June @ 10:30, we will be opening our doors for the first time
in over three months. While we are very excited to be able to gather in person,
we are still very conscious of the risks associated with this and will be
taking every precaution to reduce these risks. We have, over the past few
months, been kept well informed with regards to safe practices and social
distancing and, while it is engrained in our daily activities, it is important
for us to communicate this to those coming in for services. While this is not
an exhaustive list, it is important that we cover some of the basic safety
precautions.
Personal
Safety:
· If you are feeling unwell, exhibit
signs of the virus or have a temperature, we would encourage you to stay home
and take in the service online through Facebook Live or YouTube live.
· If you are a person who is in the high-risk
category, we ask that you be extra careful and take added precautions as you
feel necessary. Please remember, we are live streaming the services for those
not comfortable with attending in person.
· Wearing facemask is encouraged as a
means of preventing spread of disease.
· We have placed the seats in the
sanctuary in such a manner to keep with distancing. We will be available to
move things around to accommodate families and such.
· Please use the wash stations at the
entrances.
· There are spray bottles with
disinfectant in the washrooms. Please take the time to spray down the surfaces
you have touched after you have finished.
· We would encourage you to come in the
front door and exit through the back door at the end of service. For those
requiring the accessibility ramp, please continue to use for coming and going.
· There will be no coffee or snacks
served at this time but you are more than welcome to bring your own for your
personal use.
· If you have travelled
internationally, please ensure you have self-isolated for a minimum of 14 days.
· Children are welcome but we will not
be having extra activities for them as we are not equipped for children’s
church at this time. They are more than welcome to sit with their family.
· We will be recording the names of
attendees strictly for the purpose of record should there be an outbreak. The
list will be kept for two weeks and then shredded and not used for any other
purpose other than information should the AHS request.
· Direct from the AHS Covid site:
o
Infected people can transmit the
virus over greater distances through their saliva or respiratory droplets while
singing, shouting, when playing certain instruments such as wind instruments or
performing (e.g. drama or dance). As such, these activities are considered to
be high risk, and require careful consideration at places of worship. Congregational
singing is discouraged.
o
Shaking hands, hugging, touching, or passing
items between people compromises the two-metre distance between congregants and
must not occur, except between members of the same household or cohort family.
Alternatives such as waving, nodding, or bowing should be encouraged.
o
Religious rituals that involve physical contact
between individuals, such as anointing with oils or baptisms increase the
likelihood of disease transmission and should be performed in an alternate
fashion that minimizes physical contact.
o
Individuals can wear clean, properly fitted
non-medical masks to further reduce the risk of transmission. However, even
when wearing masks, attendees should always try to maintain a two-metre
distance from anyone who is not a member of their household.
o
Everyone in the place of worship should follow
proper respiratory etiquette practices at all times. These practices include
coughing and sneezing into the elbow or a tissue, discarding tissues into a
lined garbage bin, and washing hands afterwards.
·
There will be no bulletins available to reduce
the risk of spread of contaminants.
·
The facility is cleaned after the service but we
also have others who use the facility during the week. They also have been
instructed to completely clean the areas they use and the church goes through
another cleaning before the weekend.
AHS guidelines have been printed and are available
throughout the facility as a reference. They can also be found online at https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/2be831dd-d83e-42da-b634-6bc6d5232d1a/resource/18f05bae-e343-4332-8d41-4229e298efef/download/covid-19-relaunch-guidance-places-of-worship-2020-0609.pdf.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to
contact us at 403-638-4055 or via email at mainavefellowship@gmail.com.
Blessings to one and all!
Main Avenue Fellowship and Pastor Todd
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