Updated Pandemic Guidelines

Koloa Union Church

Updated

Pandemic

Guidelines

—Revised January 19, 2022—

A Message from Our Kahu

Some Thoughts about the Pandemic

And Updated Guidelines

I received my Covid booster vaccine (Pfizer) right after Christmas. Even though I experienced some of the common mild side-effects, such as fatigue, headache, dizziness, and dehydration, it now feels great to feel safer from the coronavirus! However, since we remain in the midst of a global pandemic, it is still possible for a fully vaccinated and boosted person to contract the disease and spread it. Furthermore, there are people who are especially vulnerable to the disease and those who have not been vaccinated. Therefore, it is important that our church remain proactive in terms of health and safety. Because of recent surges, our church will continue to have sensible and safe guidelines.

Our Committee for the Assurance of Pandemic Safety (CAPS) meets at least monthly to review recommendations and guidelines from CDC, Health Department, County of Kauai, etc., and recommend guidelines for our church. Please review the following guidelines carefully and be aware of anything that may have changed since the last time you attended a worship service or an event at Koloa Union Church.

Please feel free to contact me or any member of CAPS if you have any questions or concerns: Michael Horning, Penny Jessup, Penny Osuga, and myself. In the meantime, stay safe and healthy!

Aloha nui!

Kahu Alan Akana

UPDATED PANDEMIC GUIDELINES

(Revised January 19, 2022)

YOU ARE ASKED TO NOT ATTEND IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICES IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS APPLY:

You have tested positive for Covid-19 within the past 5 days.
You have a fever of 100°F or higher or had any new symptoms of Covid-19 during the past 5 days, including difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, fever, chills, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, congestion, runny nose, change in or loss of taste or smell.
You have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with Covid-19 within the past 5 days, unless you have received a negative Covid-19 test since exposure or waited a minimum 14 days after exposure.

IF NONE OF THE ABOVE CONDITIONS APPLY TO YOU, THEN YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICES IF YOU CAN SAY “YES” TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS:

You have been fully vaccinated with any of the government-approved vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson).
You have not been vaccinated with any of the government-approved vaccines but you have been on the island for at least 10 days in a row prior to the worship service with no Covid-19 symptoms.
You have not been vaccinated with any of the government-approved vaccines but you have received a negative Covid-19 test after being on the island for a full 3 days.

GUIDELINES WHILE ATTENDING IN-PERSON WORSHIP

In order for everyone to remain safe while worshiping with us, we ask that you attend church with the following expectations:

Arrive on the property and approach the sanctuary with a face mask that completely covers your mouth and nose.
Do not touch other people. This includes hugs, handshakes, fist bumps and elbow bumps.
An usher will assist you in finding a seat. Once you are seated, please remain in your seat until the end of the worship service.
Wait for instructions before removing your face mask once you are seated. If you have to use the restroom or leave your seat for any other emergencies, please make sure that your face mask is back on and allow others you may walk within 6 feet to do the same.
Do not plan to speak publicly during the worship service without approval from the Pastor or Deacons prior to Sunday.
Put your face mask back on when instructed at the end of the time together and keep it on until you are in your vehicle or off church property.
Offerings may be dropped off in the offering bowl on the communion table or in the offering basket as you enter or leave the sanctuary.
If you use a permanent name tag (if you have one at the church), please return it to the table in front of the name tag cabinet. Do not replace your name tag directly into the cabinet!

If you are unable to attend in person for any reason, we invite you to join us online every week, as we post our Sunday service (and some of our other events) on our church's YouTube channel:

YouTube Channel

A "No Touch" Congregation

Because of the large numbers of people who continue to become infected with Covid-19, those who get sick, and those who are hospitalized, we ask everyone to refrain from touching others.