Addendum: Guidance for Congregations based on the three phases of the federal document,
Opening Up America Again
This addendum relates the three phases for “Opening Up America Again,” as described in the federal document by the same name directly to congregational life.
The information in this addendum is courtesy of Bishop Sue Briner of the Southwestern Texas Synod, Bishop Erik Gronberg of the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod and Bishop Michael Rinehart of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod. It is used with permission.
What are the three phases?
A summary of the three phases is spelled out in this article. The 18-page federal document on reopening in phases can be found
HERE
.
Before proceeding to these phases, the document says the following gating criteria should be met, in order to mitigate against resurgence and protect the most vulnerable.
- 14-days of declining symptoms
- 14-days of declining cases
- Hospitals able to treat all patients without crisis care
- Robust testing program in place for at-risk healthcare workers, including emerging antibody testing
When all of the above criteria are true for your region, then elected officials and health experts will begin with phase one. In all phases, good hygiene practices like washing hands and wearing masks in public are strongly recommended. People who feel sick should stay at home, not go to work or to school. Social distancing will be important for the foreseeable future. Here are the phases.
Phase 1 – For states and regions with 14 days of declining cases
- Schools, daycare and organized youth activities stay closed.
- Bars stay closed.
- Large venues like churches, movie theaters, ballparks and arenas may reopen, but observing strict social distancing protocols.
- Gyms may reopen, with appropriate social distancing.
- Elective surgeries may resume.
- Return to work in phases. Close common areas at work where people gather. Encourage telecommuting.
- Avoid non-essential travel. (The DOD has suspended travel until the end of June.)
- Hospitals and senior centers remain closed to visitors.
Once a community has seen 14 days of declining cases, and the hospitals are not overloaded, churches may begin to meet in person, though we will need to practice extreme hygiene and social distancing. The fellowship hall/gathering space should remain closed.
Phase 2 – For states and regions with no evidence of a rebound and who satisfy the gating criteria for a second time
- All vulnerable populations continue to shelter in place.
- People need to understand that if they return to work, they could be putting vulnerable residents in their household at risk.
- All people should continue to maximize physical distance in public.
- Non-essential travel may resume.
- Employers should continue to encourage telecommuting and keep common areas closed.
- Schools, daycare, camps and organized youth activities may resume.
- Bars may reopen with diminished standing room occupancy.
- Visits to senior care facilities and hospitals remain prohibited.
- Large venues (sit-down dining, movie theaters, and churches) can operate with moderate social distancing protocols.
Phase 3 – For states and regions with no evidence of a rebound and who satisfy the gating criteria for a third time
- Vulnerable individuals can resume public interactions but should prescribe physical distancing.
- Low risk individuals should minimize time in crowded environments.
- Worksites may now resume without restrictions.
- Visits to senior care facilities and hospitals may resume, remaining diligent with hygiene.
- Large venues (sit-down dining, movie theaters, and churches) can operate with limited social distancing protocols.
- Bars may resume operation with increased standing room.
How does this apply to our church?
Here is what the three phases mean for congregations:
Phase 1:
Once your region has had 14 days of declining cases, you may begin to resume in-person worship, weddings and funerals with
strict
social distancing protocols (sitting every-other pew, six feet apart, no hand shake, passing of the peace, etc.). Continue to strongly discourage vulnerable individuals from attending. No visits to hospitals or senior care facilities. No schools, daycare or youth activities. Encourage church staff to work from home as much as possible. Fellowship activities are suspended still. Stay in phone contact with seniors and homebound members of your congregation and community.
Phase 2:
Once your region has had 28 days of declining cases without resurgence, you may resume in-person worship, weddings and funerals with
moderate
social distancing protocols. Strongly discourage vulnerable individuals from attending. No visits to hospitals or senior care facilities. Schools, daycare, camps and organized youth activities may resume. Continue to encourage church staff to work from home when possible. Fellowship hour and activities may resume with maximum social distancing. Stay in phone contact with seniors and homebound members of your congregation and community.
Phase 3:
Once your region has had 42 days of declining cases without resurgence, you may resume in-person worship, weddings and funerals with
limited
social distancing protocols. Strongly discourage vulnerable individuals from attending. Visits to hospitals and senior care facilities may resume with great care. Schools, daycare or youth activities may resume. Church staff may work without restrictions. Fellowship may resume with limited social distancing. Resume homebound communion.
