California releases new guidelines for places of worship
SACRAMENTO (KYMA, KECY) - The state of California has released new guidelines for the reopening of churches and other places of worship for in-person services.
Places of worship may reopen effective immediately, as long as local county guidelines permit it.
California guidelines say, "places of worship must therefore limit attendance to 25% of building capacity or a maximum of 100 attendees, whichever is lower."
The limitation is in effect for the first 21 days following a county public health department's approval of religious services reopening within their jurisdictions.
California also outlines guidelines for topics for employees and volunteers, individual control measures and screening, sanitation, social distancing protocols, and funerals.
Read the complete guidelines here.
New protocols highlights
- Establish a written, workplace-specific COVID-19 prevention plan at every location, perform a comprehensive risk assessment of all work areas, and designate a person at each workplace to implement the plan.
- Proper use of face coverings.
- Congregants should be screened for temperature and other symptoms
- Offerings (and similar items) should not be handed around between worshippers
- Sharing prayer books, cushions and prayer rugs is discouraged
- High-traffic areas, microphones, instruments and other items on pulpit and podiums should be disinfected frequently
- Seating and podium areas must be rearranged to allow for 6 feet of space between people
- Fresh outside air is encouraged by opening windows or installing ventilation systems
