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    Guidelines for Coronavirus Prevention

    • 3-26-2020

    CARIBBEAN BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP

    CORONAVIRUS GUIDELINES



    The following guidelines were adapted from a document prepared by the Church of England. Amendments were made to fit our Caribbean Baptist Church context. What should churches do now?

    1. Ensure everyone maintains good hygiene (we should be doing this already as part of normal good practice) at all gatherings, whether services or other occasions. This includes those who prepare or serve food, those handing outbooks etc. or having other direct physical contact with numbers of people, as well as those administering the Eucharist/Communion (see below for more guidance).

    Provide hand gel and ensure there is a good supply of soap or hand gel investry and kitchens and any other appropriate areas. Please note that ‘Washing hands’ always refers to washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using a hand-sanitiser with minimum 60% alcohol content. 

     

    2. The best way of protecting us from the spread is for everyone to use universal good hygiene; - this means everyone, all the time, which will effectively disruptthe spread of the virus. Prepare and display a public information poster which states:

    Catch it – sneeze into a tissue;

    Bin it – bin the tissue;

    Kill it – wash your hands. Do not touch your face unless you’ve washed your hands.

     

    3. Suspend handshaking or other direct physical contact during the sharing of the Peace or greetings. Suspend direct physical contact as part of a blessing or 'laying on of hands'.

     

    4. Churches are encouraged to develop, if it becomes necessary a Coronavirus Registry to ensure, as far as possible, their continued mission and ministry. 

     

    5. Ask those attending services to wash their hands as they come into church.


    6. Suspend catering (teas, coffees etc.) where multiple people touch mugs,utensils and foodstuffs.


    7. No pastoral visits should be undertaken to people who are self-isolating until isolation ends. However, do offer phone support.


    8. When visiting parishioners at home, wash hands before and after giving the sacraments.

     

    9. Refrain from passing collection plates around.


    10. Suspend the use of holy water stoups.

     

    11. Visits to people in care homes or Hospitals should follow advice from thestaff on infection control.


    12. Ensure good regular cleaning of surfaces people touch regularly, including such things as door handles, light switches etc. WHAT IF A MEMBER OF MY CONGREGATION IS DIAGNOSED WITH CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)?