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COVID-19 POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Adopted by the Session of Elders on March 17, 2022; revised October 20, 2022

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            On February 25, 2022 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released a new tool, called COVID-19 Community Levels, to give county-by county guidance on appropriate COVID-19 prevention steps.

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            First Presbyterian Church will follow these CDC guidelines for all activities and adapt them to the following circumstances.

Low

Medium

High

  • Wear a mask indoors in public

  • Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines

  • Get tested if you have symptoms

  • Follow your healthcare provider's advice to manage your unique health risks and needs.

 Safety Protocols for Worship


1.    When Boone County’s Community Level is Red, masks will be required for all worshippers. Pews will be roped off and chairs arranged in the Ramsey Center to encourage social distancing. We will not pass offering plates or communion trays. Bulletins will be available for pickup in the narthex or Welcome Center. Bulletins will also be available for download via QR code. Offering plates will be in the narthex for worshippers to drop off offerings, and prayer request/contact info slips.


2.    When Boone County’s Community Level is Yellow, masks will be recommended for worshippers. Mask usage for children and teens will be at the discretion of their parent(s). All the other prevention steps listed in #1 above will continue to be implemented.


3.    When Boone County’s Community Level falls to Green for a period of three weeks in a row (21 days), masks will neither be required nor recommended. Any worshipper is free to wear a mask if they choose to do so. Mask usage for children and teens will be at the discretion of their parent(s).


4.    We encourage anyone with COVID-19 symptoms (fever, aches, chills, cough, etc.) to worship online.


5.    The Early Childhood center will continue to be staffed. The family room off the sanctuary will be open and available to families with children. 


6.    Restrooms, the narthex, and the Welcome Center will be stocked with disinfectants/wipes. High touch surfaces will be disinfected after services. 

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​The Worship Team will evaluate all other prevention steps (roping off pews, not passing offering plates, etc.) and make a recommendation to the Session about their continued implementation.

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Safety Protocols for Children’s and Youth Ministries

   Activities for children and youth ages six and up will follow the CDC’s Community Levels guidelines. When Boone County’s Community Level is Red, children and teenagers will be required to wear a mask. When Boone County’s Community Level is Yellow, mask usage will be recommended for children and teens. When Boone County’s Community Level falls to Green for three weeks in a row (21 days), masks will neither be required nor recommended for children and teens. Any child or teenager is free to wear a mask at any time.


Children and/or Youth exhibiting the following symptoms should remain at home:

•    A temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater (As a guideline, children/youth should be fever free for 24 hours without the assistance of fever reducing medication.)
•    Cough
•    Shortness of Breath or difficulty breathing
•    Nausea/Vomiting with associated signs of illness within the previous 24 hours
•    Fatigue
•    Headache
•    New loss of taste of smell
•    Sore throat
•    Diarrhea
•    Unusual or unexplained rash

 

Safety Protocols for Other Activities

  • In keeping with pre-pandemic policy, and with the exception of corporate worship, all in-person or hybrid events must be pre-approved by the Senior Pastor, Clerk of Session, or their representative and registered with the Office.
     

  • When Boone County’s Community Level is Red, masks and social distancing are required for in-person meetings. If the event includes a meal, masks shall be worn by each participant unless one is seated and consuming food or drink.
     

  • When Boone County’s Community Level is Yellow, masks are recommended for in-person meetings. If the event includes a meal, masks are recommended for each participant whenever one is not seated and consuming food or drink.
     

  • When Boone County’s Community Level is Green for three weeks in a row (21 days), the use of masks will neither be required nor recommended. Anyone on the campus of 16 Hitt Street is free to wear a mask at any time.
     

  • All events must have at least one staff member, church officer (i.e. Elder or Deacon), or Ambassador in attendance to provide hospitality for all present. This includes ensuring the safety of all by ensuring these policies are followed. Violations shall be reported to the Senior Pastor and may be used as grounds to restrict individuals and/or groups from accessing FPCC property and facility use.
     

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