COVID-19 – Safe Return to Church Framework
The health and safety of all people attending our sites is paramount and it is essential that there is strict adherence to the measures outlined within the Fact Sheets and re-opening application form below.
Formal written approval of the Bishop will be required prior to the re-opening of any activity and will be dependent on your ability to comply with all measures listed below.
ALL completed re-opening application forms are to be submitted to whs@newcastleanglican.org.au. If you have any queries, please phone our Risk Officer Heidi Randle on 4926 3733. For urgent reporting of COVID-19 matters, please phone Linda Wilson on 0410 457 621 immediately.
The Diocesan Office staff continue to work through the safe re-opening and operation plans for Sunday Schools and other Youth and Children’s activities, cafes and other food related events, as well as fundraising events. Further advice for the safe re-opening of these activities will be given at a later date and in accordance with Government guidelines.
We are currently in Stage Two of the re-opening phase and direction from the Bishop may change at any time in response to managing COVID-19.
Safe Return to Church
Return to Church
The gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions by the NSW State Government allows for places of worship to have gatherings of no more than 50 people in the congregation. The Incumbent/Locum, Musician and Church Official are in addition to the congregation. The number of additional persons present must not exceed 5. Gatherings can be for Sunday Worship, Church Services (including communion) and study/growth groups.
We are currently in Stage Two of the re-opening phase and direction from the Bishop may change at any time in response to managing COVID-19.
Fact Sheets
Fact Sheet No.1: Service Registrations and Record Management
Fact Sheet No.2: Preparing the Church Building
Fact Sheet No.3: Cleaning
Fact Sheet No.4: Incident Notification
Fact Sheet No.5: Liturgical and Music Practices
Fact Sheet No.6: Safe Entry and Exit of the Church Building
Forms
This Re-opening Application must be completed by the Incumbent (or Locum) and a Churchwarden.
Stage Two Re-opening Application Form
Signage
Conditions of Entry sign
Maximum Capacity sign
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
Additional Resources
Booking and Attendance Record Sheet
Attendance Record Sheet
Procedure – Creating an event in Eventbrite
Safe Re-opening of Opportunity and Retail Shops
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
Fact Sheet No.2: Incident Notification
Fact Sheet No.3: Cleaning
Fact Sheet No.4: Accepting and Sorting Donations
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
Conditions of Store Entry sign
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
Additional Resources
COVIDSafe Induction and Training Checklist
Staff Attendance Record Sheet
Information up to date and current as of 5th June 2020.
Safe Reinstatement of Hall Hire to Third Parties
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: 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