COVID-19 – Safe Return to Church Framework

Return to Church

Changes from 24 July 2020 have introduced a cap on the maximum number of persons that can be on site. To determine the number of persons allowed on site at one time, you will need to apply the 4 square metre rule. Noting that the maximum number of persons on site must not exceed 100. Where you are considering a change in the number of worshippers on site, you must contact the Diocesan Risk Officer Heidi Randle to confirm that the space will allow for this change.

If you have not previously applied to re-open your Church buildings, you must first submit an application to the Diocese via whs@newcastleanglican.org.au.

Booking and Registration process – The Incumbent and Churchwardens may resolve that the Parish will not have a registration process prior to Church services, however, you are still required to request that people provide their contact details prior to entry on the day of the service. The Parish will need to have clear arrangements for advising attendees of any changes to the Conditions of Entry and for denying entry to the Church when the maximum attendance is reached. Any Parish dispensing with a registration processes must also advise the Diocesan Risk Officer.

Fact Sheets

Fact Sheet No.1: Service Registrations and Record Management – Return to Church
Fact Sheet No.2: Preparing the Church Building – Return to Church
Fact Sheet No.3: Cleaning – Return to Church
Fact Sheet No.4: Incident Notification – Return to Church 
Fact Sheet No.5: Liturgical and Music Practices – Return to Church 
Fact Sheet No.6: Safe Entry and Exit of the Church Building – Return to Church
Fact Sheet: Third Party Contractor or Delivery of Goods
Fact Sheet: Safe Use of Masks

Forms

This Re-opening Application must be completed by the Incumbent (or Locum) and a Churchwarden.
Stage Two Re-opening Application Form

Incident Notification Form

Signage

Updated Conditions of Entry sign
Conditions of Entry Sign – Victoria and Sydney exclusions
Maximum Capacity sign 
NSW Government advice – face masks for places of worship

Registered Occasion of Worship sign – option 1
Registered Occasion of Worship sign – option 2

COVID-19 – Keep your distance
COVID-19 – simple steps to stop the spread
COVID-19 – good hygiene is in your hands
COVID-19 – Do I need to wear a mask?

Additional Resources

Booking and Attendance Record Sheet
Attendance Record Sheet
Procedure – Creating an event in Eventbrite
Volunteer Health and Medical Declaration Form

In accordance with the change in restrictions, where your building is large enough to do so, up to 100 people can be onsite for a funeral. When determining the maximum number of people who can attend, the Parish must apply the 4 square metre rule i.e. you must allow for at least 4 square metres per person.

For smaller buildings, the Parish can now have up to 50 people attend a funeral without applying the 4 square metre rule. Social distancing rules remain in force and requires that non-household contacts must maintain 1.5 metres of physical distance from others. When making arrangements for funerals, the Parish must have an awareness of household and non-household groupings to facilitate the seating arrangements above. The Parish must have a clear process in place to ensure that this measure is complied with. Further detail on Funeral requirements can be found in the updated Safe Return to Church Fact Sheet No.2: Preparing the Building.

Opportunity Shops and Retail Shops

The gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions by the NSW State Government allows for the reopening of non-essential retail stores. This re-opening framework is to be used for the reopening of an Opportunity Shop or other Retail space such as a Book Shop.

In these early stages of re-opening, the direction from the Bishop may change at any time in response to managing COVID-19.

Fact Sheets

Fact Sheet No.1: Preparing the Building – Opportunity Shops and Retail Shops
Fact Sheet No.2: Incident Notification – Opportunity Shops and Retail Shops
Fact Sheet No.3: Cleaning – Opportunity Shops and Retail Shops
Fact Sheet No.4: Accepting and Sorting Donations – Opportunity Shops and Retail Shops
Fact Sheet: Third Party Contractor or Delivery of Goods
Fact Sheet: Safe Use of Masks

Forms

This re-opening application form must be completed by a Church Warden and the Shop Supervisor.

Opportunity and Retail Shop Re-opening Application Form

Opportunity and Retail Shop Incident Notification Form

Signage

Updated Conditions of Store Entry sign
Conditions of Store Entry sign – Victoria and Sydney exclusion
Maximum Store Capacity sign

COVID-19 – Keep your distance
COVID-19 – simple steps to stop the spread
COVID-19 – good hygiene is in your hands
COVID-19 – Do I need to wear a mask?

Additional Resources

COVIDSafe Induction and Training Checklist
Staff Attendance Record Sheet
Volunteer Health and Medical Declaration Form

Hall Hire to Third Parties

Parishes can now begin the process of recommencing Hall Hire arrangements with Third Parties. Each Third Party will be required to complete the Hall Hire COVID -19 Annexure in addition to the standard hall hire agreement (if this has not been completed by the Third Party previously).

The Parish must confirm that the Third Party is able to comply with all requirements. A copy of the completed Annexure is to be sent to the Diocesan Office prior to commencement of the arrangement. The Parish must have a process in place to carry out regular checks of the Cleaning Record and also the cleaning that is undertaken by the third party.

Public health orders advise that excluding worship activities any class, gathering or organised event held in any church building can have 20 or less participants. 

Note: This process does not allow for the recommencement of parish organised youth and child activities. Separate advice will be provided on this.

Fact Sheet:

Fact Sheet No.1: COVID-19 Safe Reinstatement of Hall Hire to Third Parties

Resources:

Hire/Casual Hall Hire Agreement – COVID-19 Annexure
Record of Cleaning

Signage:

Conditions of Entry sign
Maximum Capacity sign

COVID-19 – Keep your distance
COVID-19 – simple steps to stop the spread
COVID-19 – good hygiene is in your hands

Child and Youth Activities

Parishes can now apply for permission to recommence Child and Youth activities within the Diocese.

At this stage the risk to children and the role children play in transmission of COVID19 is not fully understood. While there has been a relatively low number of cases in children it is important that we have robust measures in place to protect not only the health and safety of children and youth that will engage in activities on our sites but also the adults who will be involved in conducting these activities.

Formal written approval from the Bishop will be required prior to the recommencement of these activities and will be dependent on your ability to comply with all measures outlined in the relevant Fact Sheets.

Public health orders advise that excluding worship activities, any class, gathering or organised event held in any church building can have a maximum 20 participants (this excludes the person/s that are conducting the activity and any parents, guardians or carers of participants – noting that the maximum capacity of the building will need to be adhered too).

As part of the Child Safe Church arrangements there must be at least 2 adults present to run the activity and the Incumbent or other Supervisor must be able to attend and/or supervise the activity.

Fact Sheets:

Fact Sheet No.1: Registration and Record Management – Child and Youth Activities
Fact Sheet No.2: Preparing the Site – Child and Youth Activities
Fact Sheet No.3: General Requirements – Child and Youth Activities
Fact Sheet No.4: Cleaning Requirements – Child and Youth Activities
Fact Sheet No.5: Incident Response – Child and Youth Activities
Fact Sheet: Safe Use of Masks

Form:

The application form must be completed by the Incumbent, a Church Warden and the Ministry Activity Leader.
Child and Youth Activities Recommencement Application Form

Additional Resources:

COVIDSafe Induction and Training Checklist – Child and Youth Activities
Attendance Record Sheet – Child and Youth Activities
Parent Communication – Child and Youth Activities
Volunteer Health and Medical Declaration Form
COVID-19 – Do I need to wear a mask?

Safe Re-opening of Office Sites for Parish Workers

To ensure we are providing a safe space for our workers to return, the following measures need to be in place.

Fact Sheets:

Fact Sheet: Safe re-opening of office sites for parish workers
Fact Sheet: Third Party Contractor or Delivery of Goods

Additional Resources:

COVIDSafe Induction and Training Checklist – Parish Office Sites
Staff Attendance Record Sheet – Parish Office Sites

Signage:

COVID-19 – Keep your distance
COVID-19 – simple steps to stop the spread
COVID-19 – good hygiene is in your hands

Conditions of Entry sign
Maximum Capacity sign