Skip to content

New health guidelines released for places of worship

Places of worship can now prepare to open in Phase III of Reopen Saskatchewan. Guidelines for these groups are included in the latest update of the Government of Saskatchewan’s plan to reopen the provincial economy.
Cross

Places of worship can now prepare to open in Phase III of Reopen Saskatchewan.

Guidelines for these groups are included in the latest update of the Government of Saskatchewan’s plan to reopen the provincial economy. Last week it was announced that the target date for Phase III of Reopen Saskatchewan would be June 8.

The initial guidelines for the re-opening of places of worship were developed in consultation with faith leaders.

Effective June 8, places of worship may resume services providing social distancing of two metres can be maintained between each individual household. The allowable occupancy is one-third of the defined occupancy rate of the facility to a maximum of 30 individuals for the initial stage of re-opening.

Delivering services virtually or through remote delivery such as drive-in services is encouraged.

Where possible, registration of participants is encouraged to effectively manage the number of individuals attending. Registration should be facilitated to discourage attendees from common-use items such as pens and pencils.

Attendees who are medically vulnerable are strongly encouraged to delay their return to services and continue to participate in services online, where possible. Also, attendees, employees and volunteers are required to stay home if sick or symptomatic.

Places of worship will be required to identify measures by which entry and exit is managed to ensure physical distancing is maintained. Places of worship also need to promote physical distancing by marking the directional flow of people through buildings and areas.

Mark seating areas and post visual reminders to observe physical distancing.

Individuals from the same household may be seated together and should remain in place once they are seated.

Seating (or designated worship space) must be arranged so that physical distancing can be observed at all times. Consideration must be given to how people enter and exit pews and other seating areas. A minimum of two metres must be maintained between household groups.

If multiple gatherings are held on a single day, the start and end times must allow those who attend one gathering to exit safely, avoiding contact with those arriving for the next gathering. Time is needed to clean and disinfect common surfaces between services. Dismissal of gatherings should be done in a way that supports physical distancing.

All ancillary events, such as social events, should be postponed for the immediate future.

All physical contact, such as handshaking or passing objects between individuals, is not permitted. Ushers, greeters or other guest services must maintain social distancing and avoid physical contact with worshippers.

Microphones cannot be shared between individuals due to the difficulty of cleaning and disinfecting these devices. Minimize the number of attendees providing readings or performing other activities that would require the use of a microphone.

Singing is viewed as a high-risk activity because the virus can be transmitted through saliva or respiratory droplets. One documented COVID-19 outbreak resulted in the spread of the virus to 87 per cent of choir attendees from one infected person. Therefore, singing is not recommended at this time. If singing is done, participants must wear masks.

Communion raises specific challenges because of the possibility of inadvertently transmitting the virus. Faith communities centred on a communion ritual must exercise extreme caution if they wish to proceed with offering communion. Denominations or families of churches wishing to offer communion at this time will be required to develop protocols by which the communion can be offered in a way that safeguards the health of the communicants and celebrant. The use of a common cup is not permissible.

Passing of offering baskets will not be permitted. Alternatives are encouraged, such as online giving options or a depository to accept offerings.

As for child care facilities, they are limited to a maximum of 15 children per building space. This may mean 15 children per facility or, in the case of larger facilities where area permits, a facility reconfigured to allow a maximum of 15 children in one defined area.

These areas must be separate for each group and need to be separated by a barrier (floor to ceiling barriers not necessary) that can prevent children, toys and other items from crossing over. The child-to-adult ratios and usable floor space requirements for the child care areas must meet provincial regulations.

Groups of children and the staff members assigned to them must stay together throughout the day and cannot mix with other groups. Staff should remain with the same group.

Groups must be within in the same room/space at the same time, including pickups and drop-offs, meal times, playtime and outdoor activities.

Children are restricted to attending a single facility to reduce transmission risks. All child care facilities located within special care or personal care homes are subject to all general restrictions and must have private entrances and separate spaces so there are no shared common areas. There must be no interaction between children and residents of the home.