Covid Guidance for Church Offices

Covid Guidance for Church Offices

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Several inquiries have been received regarding maintaining safe workplace practices for church office staff vaccinated and unvaccinated. The resources listed here offer the latest guidance for each state. 

CDC and state guidance consistently recommend cleaning and disinfecting work spaces, wearing masks when in mixed vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, requiring masks for those who are not vaccinated and symptom screening. The bottom line remains the protection of those who are vulnerable, since the current variants can be spread by vaccinated people who may be asymptomatic. 

In Connecticut 

Latest COVID-19 Guidance for Connecticut residents and workers - CT.GOV-Connecticut's Official State Website

Business sector rules in effect: As of May 19, 2021, all of the business sector rules that were previously enacted to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have been lifted, except for the updated mask requirements as noted in the section above. These changes are contingent upon a low incidence of COVID-19 and the Connecticut population continuing to get vaccinated.
portal.ct.gov

In Massachusetts

COVID-19 Mask Requirements from mass.gov

This statement  from www.mass.gov is reflective of the guidance offered by the CDC and CT, MA, RI: "Effective July 30: The Department of Public Health has issued a new mask advisory in light of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidance. Fully vaccinated individuals are advised to wear a mask or face covering when indoors (and not in your own home) if you have a weakened immune system, or if you are at increased risk for severe disease because of your age or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is an unvaccinated adult. Masks are still mandatory for all individuals on public and private transportation systems (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations), in healthcare facilities and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings." 


In Rhode Island

Protect Your Household from COVID-19 | RI COVID-19 Information Portal from covid.ri.gov

COVID-19 spreads mainly through close contact with someone who is infected. Close contact means you’ve been within six feet of someone with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period.

OSHA offers advice   

Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace - Occupational Safety and Health Administration
COVID-19 and Prevention. COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease that is spread from person to person, including through aerosol transmission of particles produced when an infected person exhales, talks, vocalizes, sneezes, or coughs. COVID-19 is highly transmissible and can be spread by people who have no symptoms. Particles containing the virus can travel more than 6 feet, especially indoors -
www.osha.gov.  
It is important to make sure the workplace is cleaned regularly, and well ventilated.  

From the CDC

General Business Frequently Asked Questions | CDC

Employees may have been exposed if they are a “close contact” of someone who is infected, which is defined as being within about 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time. Potentially exposed employees who have symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate and follow CDC recommended steps.; Potentially exposed employees who do not have symptoms should remain at home..more at www.cdc.gov.

Posters are an effective means of sharing the recommended protocols,

CDC provides credible COVID-19 health information to the U.S.
With One Body and One Spirit - Returning to Church 3.0, a new resource from the Wisconsin Council of Churches
 
If you have more questions, please do not hesitate to send me an email: Deborah Ringen, Minister of Health & Wellness, at ringend@sneucc.orgThanks for working to keep everyone safe! 

Author

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Debbie Ringen

Debbie Ringen supports the Conference vision to make God’s love and justice real through wellness ministry at the Conference and local church level. In addition to providing resources, educational workshops, blogs and networking opportunities, she is...

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