Announcement on re-opening of Arklow Presbyterian Church

 
We hope to recommence Sunday worship in the church on Sunday 26th July 2020.
 We do hope as many of you who wish to attend will feel confident to do so.  However, if you are in an ‘at risk’ category the guidelines would still recommend that you do not attend.  If you are displaying any of the symptoms of COVID-19, or have been in close contact with anyone displaying such symptoms, within the last 14 days please do not attend church.
To continue to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to safeguard the community we would ask all of you who are intending to come to church to read and to respect the following guidelines.
 

• Please book your place and the places of family members in advance by texting Aleida on 0868036518 by Friday (at the latest) prior to the Sunday morning you wish to attend. 
• We recommend that you wear your own face covering when coming to church.
• Make your way from your car along the ramp and stand at one of the designated cones as you would when queuing to enter a supermarket.
• When ushered in please wash your hands for 20 seconds using the hand sanitiser that is provided in the foyer, attached to the wall.
• You will be ushered to your seats either in the church or in the hall (The service will be relayed into the hall on a large screen).  The seating arrangements are to facilitate social distancing of 2m.
• Please remain in your seats until the end of the service, until you are ushered to leave.
• People who are seated in the church will be ushered to exit by the rear door past the lectern and those in the church hall will leave by the main entrance door. Please use hand sanitiser on your way out.
• If using the toilet facilities please follow the protocol of one person at a time and keep safely distanced.
• If you wish to contribute to the ongoing work of our church there are non-touch boxes provided at the exit points.
• Initially there will be no congregational singing, no Holy Communion and no refreshments after the service.
• To facilitate contact tracing your name and the names of your family members will be recorded each week that you attend.
• All people attending church are asked to sign the Arklow Presbyterian Church Covid 19 policy below and to return it by hand or email to [email protected]  prior to attending.
• Online services will continue to be provided on Sunday morning at 10.00 a.m. for those people who are still unable to attend.

 
Arklow Presbyterian Church COVID-19 Policy
 
Arklow Presbyterian Church is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace and worship space for all our workers and parishioners. To ensure that, we have developed the following COVID-19 Response Plan.
 
All workers and parishioners are responsible for the implementation of this plan and a combined effort will help contain the spread of the virus.
 
We will:
●         continue to monitor our COVID-19 response and amend this plan in consultation with our workers and parishioners.
●         provide up to date information to our workers and parishioners on the Public Health advice issued by the relevant authorities.
●         display information on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and correct hand-washing techniques.
●         inform all workers and our parishioners of essential hygiene and respiratory etiquette and physical distancing requirements.
●         adapt the workplace and worship areas to facilitate physical distancing.
●         keep a log of contact / group work / weekly worshippers to help with contact tracing.
●         have all workers attend an induction / familiarisation briefing and brief all parishioners through email, social media and regular announcements.
●         develop a procedure to be followed in the event of someone showing symptoms of COVID-19 while at worship services or in the workplace.
●         provide instructions for workers and parishioners to follow if they develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19 during work or services.
●         intensify cleaning in line with government advice.
 
All workers and parishioners will be consulted on an ongoing basis and feedback is encouraged on any concerns, issues or suggestions.
 
Signed: ______________________              Date:  _________________
 
 
Signed: Michael Anderson                                              Emily Kearon
                        Minister                                                       Clerk of session
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