COVID-19 Mitigation – Resurrection Lutheran Church

Resurrection Lutheran Church COVID-19 Mitigation Plan

Scope

Resurrection Lutheran Church, Juneau, Alaska (RLC) has adopted this COVID-19 mitigation policy (“Plan”) in compliance a with the City and Borough of Juneau COVID-19 Risk Metrics & Mitigation Strategies last updated March 8, 2022.
RLC is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for staff, congregation members, volunteers and the public. To ensure that, we have developed the Plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic our goal is to mitigate the potential for transmission of COVID-19 in our church; and this requires full cooperation among staff, congregation members, our volunteers and the public. Only through this cooperative effort can we establish and maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone.
RLC expects staff, congregation members, volunteers and the public to follow this Plan. Staff and congregation members are responsible for implementing and complying with all aspects of this Plan. RLC staff have the full support of the congregation council in enforcing the provisions of this Plan. Our staff, congregation members and volunteers are cherished gifts committed to service to Christ. Our Plan follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the City and Borough of Juneau COVID-19 Risk Metrics & Mitigation Strategies last updated March 8, 2022.
RLC staff have the full support of the congregation council in enforcing the provisions of this Plan. Our staff, congregation members and volunteers are cherished gifts committed to service to Christ. Our Plan follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the City and Borough of Juneau COVID-19 Risk Metrics & Mitigation Strategies last updated July 30, 2021.

Individuals Exhibiting Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19

Staff, congregation members and volunteers have been informed of and encouraged to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Staff, congregation members and volunteers are required to assess their health status prior to entering the church. Staff, congregation members and volunteers are required to report when they are sick or experiencing symptoms.
Any individual or family member who is ill with COVID-19 must be immediately isolated in their home or other permitted place of isolation. See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html#precautions.
Any individual who exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 illness must not leave their home or place of dwelling within 72-hours of their last fever, including to work, except as necessary to seek or receive medical care. Individuals who are symptomatic, but did not manifest a fever, must not leave their home or dwelling place until they no longer exhibit symptoms.
Any individual who exhibits symptoms of illness may not participate in gatherings that include non-household members for at least 72-hours past their last fever. Individuals who are symptomatic but did not manifest a fever must not participate in gatherings until they no longer exhibit symptoms.
Individuals who have known exposure to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 shall self-quarantine for 14-days following the last exposure and shall not participate in any gatherings with non-household members.

Gatherings

Indoor gatherings public gatherings should be limited to the number of participants that will allow 6 ft social distancing to be maintained if individuals who are not fully vaccinated are present. Masks must be worn by all if individuals who are not fully vaccinated are present.
Fabric face coverings, when masks / face coverings are encouraged, but not required, when possible (see Respiratory Etiquette, below). During worship, other that worship leaders, worshipers should mask when singing. See CDC Improve How Your Mask Protects You for helpful information on face coverings:
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/effective-masks.html

COVID-19 Entry Checks

Public events in the church where visitors will remain in the church for more than 15 minutes should include the administration of a COVID-19 entry check (example entry check attached) and recording of those attending in the entry log (example entry log attached), which includes information for contact tracing.

Handwashing

Staff, congregation members, volunteers and the public are instructed to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water frequently throughout the day, but especially when they arrive at the church and before they leave, prior to any mealtimes and after using the toilet.
The public entering the church will be asked to wash their hands immediately upon entering the church. Some entrances have hand-sanitizer dispensers (that use sanitizers of greater than 60% alcohol) that can be used for hand hygiene in place of soap and water, as long as hands are not visibly soiled.

Respiratory Etiquette

Staff, congregation members, volunteers and the public are being instructed to cover their mouth and nose with their sleeve or a tissue when coughing or sneezing and to avoid touching their face with their hands, in particular their mouth, nose and eyes. They should dispose of tissues in the trash and wash or sanitize their hands immediately afterward.
Respiratory etiquette will be supported by making tissues and trash receptacles available to all staff, congregation members, volunteers and the public.
Fabric face masks should be used when possible, although paper face masks will be provided for use in the church.

Social Distancing

When required for individuals who are not fully vaccinated, these social distancing procedures apply.
Gatherings will allow for six-foot distancing between non-household (bubble) members.

Fully Vaccinated Individuals

Individuals are considered fully vaccinated (Fully Vaccinated Individuals):
- Two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
- Two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
Fully Vaccinated Individuals may gather in the church with other Fully Vaccinated Individuals without wearing a mask.

Housekeeping

Regular housekeeping practices include routine cleaning and disinfecting of work surfaces, equipment, and areas in the work environment, including sanctuary, fellowship area, downstairs, meeting rooms and restrooms.

Communications and Training

This Plan was initially communicated to all staff, congregation members, volunteers and the public:
- to all staff and congregational members by email;
- to all staff, congregation members, volunteers and the public by posting RLC’s website rlcjuneau.org; and
- to all staff, congregation members, volunteers and the public who enter the church by summary posters with copy of this Plan to take at all entrances.
Initial training will be provided to staff, congregation members and volunteers as soon as reasonably possible upon their return to the church. Additional communication and training will be ongoing and provided to all staff, congregation members and volunteers.
Staff will monitor effectiveness of the Plan and its implementation by staff, congregation members and volunteers, and updates to the Plan and training will be made as necessary.

Questions and Comments

Questions and comments regarding this Plan should be directed to RLC staff and/or congregation council.

General

https://juneau.org/covid-19

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV

https://www.osha.gov