The focus of this week’s update is the safe resumption of services and other face-to-face activities on church property.
As churches and agencies around the world start cautiously resuming their activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to stay on top of the restrictions relevant to your country, state, and type of activity.
Here are some answers to common questions that are floating around at the moment.
Please keep in mind the answers pertain to the minimum standard of what is allowed – you are free to decide as a church or agency if you would like to be more cautious or take the restrictions even further for additional safety or practical reasons. Basically, it is ok to set the bar higher, but you cannot drop below the minimum level of safety required by our legislation. For example, many churches are holding off altogether on resuming face to face services until the
Where possible, we have included a link at the end of each answer so you can check the source and read further information as required.
If you are in doubt about your activities, please call the hotline for your state and seek advice.
Victorian Coronavirus Hotline: 1800 675 398
Tasmanian Public Health Hotline: 1800 671 738
VICTORIA (ADVICE CURRENT FROM 1 JUNE – 22 JUNE 2020)
Can we sing at church?
Yes. This is not a restricted activity in Victoria.
Do we need to temperature test people as they arrive?
No. As a church you are not required to do this, but if you do choose to do it you should use a non-contact thermometer (example) and have a clear and simple procedure for who gets tested (e.g. just staff or everyone?), when they get tested (e.g. upon arrival), and how to handle the situation should someone register a high temperature (e.g. stand aside and retest after 5 minutes. If temperature remains high, go home).
Is there is a time limit for how long our service or activity can run?
No, but you should leave adequate time for cleaning and sanitising before and after each service or event. This may mean fewer services being conducted or groups using a building or space each day. Be good stewards of people’s time and energy. (Source link)
Can we run multiple church services or activities one after the other in the same space?
Yes. Multiple services or ceremonies can be held on the same day, but at least one hour should be allowed between them to reduce the risk of crowds at entrances and exits and to enable cleaning. (Source link)
Can we run multiple church services or activities at the same time in different parts of the building?
Yes. You can have up to 20 people in “a single undivided indoor space, subject to the four square metre rule plus the minimum number of people reasonably required to perform the service or ceremony”. An enclosed space is defined as “an area, room or premises that is substantially enclosed by a roof and walls. If venues have multiple floors, courtyards or separate rooms these may count as enclosed spaces”. (Source link)
This means that you could have 20 people worshipping in the church auditorium and another 20 watching a live feed in the hall at the same time. Or, you could have a service for 20 people happening on the ground floor and another 20 in the kid’s ministry activity upstairs.
This sounds easy but be mindful that you must make sure crowds do not form in any common areas such as foyers, toilets, kitchens, or any areas where the two groups might meet.
You are not required to have separate entry/exits for each group, but you must consider the impact on common areas and manage people traffic:
- stagger start/finish times so that the two groups aren’t arriving and leaving through the same foyer at the same time
- designate different entry/exit doors for the different groups
- designate different toilets for the different groups
- eliminate, reduce, or adapt morning tea or food service so that people are not tempted to gather in crowds larger than the 20 for their activity
- know what the maximum occupancy of your foyer and other common areas to ensure that you don’t have too many people in there either
If you are unsure if you can manage this safely, please don’t proceed. The health and wellbeing of our community is more important than getting the most people possible attending an event.
Source: This advice was received from the Business Victoria Coronavirus Hotline 13 22 15 on 11/6/2020. (Source Link)
Are staff included in the 4 square meter rule?
No. The four square metre rule applies to limit the number of customers/visitors in a space, but not the number of workers. Venues and facilities can have the number of staff reasonably required to operate, in addition to the limit in place for patrons.
Workers are excluded from the calculation because employers have a duty to provide a safe workplace. (Source link)
A sample door sign is attached.
Do we need to count how many people enter the building?
Yes, this is how you will know if you have met the occupancy limitation for the venue. You must include babies and children in the count. Even if you use a booking system to allocate seats or restrict numbers attending a service, you should still do a head count to ensure extras have not entered.
We have outside groups that want to use our buildings – is our church responsible for making sure those people are sticking to the social distancing rules?
Places of worship may host essential community services, including leasing church halls or other spaces for community support groups. Physical distancing requirements are the responsibility of the group or organisation leasing the space (the tenant), not the landlord/owner. (Source Link)
Affiliates are encouraged to communicate thoroughly with any hall hirers, and make sure they understand the occupancy, hygiene, cleaning, and social distancing requirements for the buildings.
Use door signs and other posters to spread the message about safe practices.
Do we need to record attendee details for contact tracing?
Yes. To support contact tracing, a place of worship that is hosting a wedding, funeral or ceremony must request that each person attending the premise (including staff) provide first name and phone number.
You must keep a record of those details, and the date and time at which the person attended the facility. Where the patrons spend most of their time in a single space a record of the space used should also be kept. There is no need to keep multiple records if patrons move through multiple spaces. Records can be kept electronically or in hard copy. Records should be kept for 28 days. Pens used to record details should be wiped with an alcohol wipe between users. (Source Link)
A sample record and fact sheet are attached to this email.
Remember, you must ask for details, but people have a right to say no to having their details recorded and they can still participate in the event.
How do we clean and sanitise?
Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces regularly e.g. phones, keyboards, door handles, light switches, bench tops can help stop the spread of coronavirus. Advice on cleaning and disinfecting to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading (Word).
You will find some Safe Work Australia checklists attached and more information can be found at www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/how-clean-and-disinfect-your-workplace-covid-19
What do we do if someone tests positive for COVID-19?
Anyone who tests positive to COVID-19 will be contacted by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and given instructions on quarantine requirements.
DHHS will manage contact tracing and notifications to any people who have been in close contact with a person who tests positive to COVID-19.
Affiliates should be ready to give the Dept any records of attendees at their events to assist them with contact tracing and notifications.
When will restrictions change again?
From 22 June 2020 a further easing of restrictions is planned in Victoria. Further information on how this will impact faith communities will become available closer to that date.
For more information:
Staying safe
Victoria’s restriction levels
Restricted Activity Directions (No 9) Legislation
Stay Safe Directions given on 31 May 2020
TASMANIA (ADVICE CURRENT FROM 5 JUNE 2020)
Please note: The lifting of Stage 2 restrictions (due to come into effect on 15 June) was brought forward to come into effect from 3pm on Friday 5 June 2020. The decision by the State Government was made after consultation with Public Health. Restrictions around numbers that can gather are still in place but have increased.
What are the current allowed numbers as of 5 June 2020?
Households: maximum of 10 people at any one time, in addition to residents of the household.
Gatherings: maximum of 20 people (indoor and outdoor) unless the maximum density for the premises under the 4 square metre rule is less, in which case you must adhere to the lower number.
Religious ceremonies, private worship and church services, including baptisms: maximum of 40 attendees (indoor and outdoor) in addition to the people reasonably necessary to perform or provide the religious instruction, support or service.
Weddings: maximum of 40 attendees (indoor and outdoor) in addition to the people reasonably necessary to perform the wedding unless the maximum density for the premises under the 4 square metre rule is less, in which case you must adhere to the lower number
Funerals: maximum of 50 attendees (indoor and outdoor) in addition to the people reasonably necessary to perform the funeral unless the maximum density for the premises under the 4 square metre rule is less, in which case you must adhere to the lower number
At all of the above, people should still ensure they use physical distancing (1.5m away from others when possible when out), wash their hands regularly, cover coughs and sneezes, stay home if unwell and get tested for COVID-19 if experiencing any cold or flu symptoms.
Vulnerable people are encouraged to stay home as much as possible to help protect their health. (Source link)
Make sure your church or agency fully understands the requirements around gatherings, density and physical distancing and how they apply to your activities.
Some restrictions will be updated over coming days. (Source link)
Do Affiliates need to produce a COVID-19 Safety Plan?
Yes. Services and venues involved in religious ceremonies, funerals and weddings must have a COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan in place by 15 June 2020.
Creating a plan is not as difficult as it sounds – the information included in your plan will include things you are already doing, and there are templates to help you along the way.
The principles underlying this plan are preparation and prevention of COVID-19 in the workplace.
Business Tasmania partnered with WorkSafe Tasmania to host an online information session to help you navigate the process of developing your COVID-19 Safety Plan. Presented by Ken Nolan from WorkSafe Tasmania, Ken walks you through:
- why you need to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan
- where to find checklists, guidelines and plan templates
- tips and tricks to filling in the plan template or add to your existing workplace plan
Watch a video about how to develop your Plan ***Highly recommended***
Learn about the minimum standards in the 6 Point Checklist: How to keep your workers safe and limit the spread of COVID-19
Use the small business template (employing fewer than 20 people) or the medium business template (employing between 20 and 199 people) to start your safety plan inc volunteers
Have a solid read of the COVID Safe Workplace Guidelines – Weddings & Religious Services Industry as it will help you with content for your plan
Can we sing at church?
Yes. This is not a restricted activity in Tasmania.
Do we need to temperature test people as they arrive?
No. As a church you are not required to do this, but if you do choose to do it you should use a non-contact thermometer (example) and have a clear and simple procedure for who gets tested (e.g. just staff or everyone?), when they get tested (e.g. upon arrival), and how to handle the situation should someone register a high temperature (e.g. stand aside and retest after 5 minutes. If temperature remains high, go home). This will form part of your Safety Plan.
Is there is a time limit for how long our service or activity can run?
No, but you should leave adequate time for cleaning and sanitising before and after each service or event.
Can we run multiple church services or activities one after the other in the same space?
Yes. Multiple services or ceremonies can be held on the same day but leave enough time between them to reduce the risk of crowds at entrances and exits and to enable proper cleaning and sanitising.
Can we run multiple church services or activities at the same time in different parts of the building?
Yes, BUT you can only have multiple groups of 40 people in separate spaces at the same time if each group has completely separate amenities and entry/exit doors. The groups cannot share any common area.
If you have multiple groups on the premises at the same time and they need to both use the same foyer or toilets these areas must be completely sanitised between use. This makes it quite impractical for some churches, so please give serious consideration to whether it is in fact easier to just hold one event or to stagger them to run at different times.
You may need to:
- stagger start/finish times so that the two groups aren’t arriving and leaving through the same foyer at the same time (remember you must clean in between groups)
- designate different entry/exit doors for the different groups
- designate different toilets for the different groups
- eliminate, reduce, or adapt morning tea to be prepared and consumed within each groups designated area, not a common area.
- know what the maximum occupancy of your foyer and other common areas to ensure that you don’t have too many people in there either
If you are unsure if you can manage this safely, please don’t proceed. The health and wellbeing of our community is more important than getting the most people possible attending an event.
Are staff included in the 4 square meter rule?
No. The four square metre rule applies to limit the number of people in addition to the staff reasonably required to operate.
Do we need to count how many people enter the building?
Yes. This is how you will know if you have met the occupancy limitation for the premises. You must include babies and children in the count. Even if you use a booking system to allocate seats or restrict numbers attending a service, you should still do a head count to ensure extras have not entered.
We have outside groups that want to use our buildings – is our church responsible for making sure those people are sticking to the social distancing rules?
Physical distancing requirements are the responsibility of the group or organisation leasing the space (the tenant), not the landlord/owner.
Affiliates are encouraged to communicate thoroughly with any hall hirers, and make sure they understand the occupancy, hygiene, cleaning, and social distancing requirements for the buildings.
Use door signs and other posters to spread the message about safe practices.
Do we need to record attendee details for contact tracing?
Recording attendee details is recommended but not technically required by Dept of Health in Tassie.
CCVT recommends you do record attendee details to support contact tracing by the Dept of Health in the event that someone tests positive.
Remember, you can ask for details, but people have a right to say no to having their details recorded and they can still participate in the event.
Keep a record of those first name and phone number for each person (including children), and the date and time at which the person attended the facility. Records can be kept electronically or in hard copy.
Records should be kept for 28 days.
Pens used to record details should be wiped with an alcohol wipe between users.
How do we clean and sanitise?
Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces regularly e.g. phones, keyboards, door handles, light switches, bench tops can help stop the spread of coronavirus. Advice on cleaning and disinfecting to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading (Word).
You will find some Safe Work Australia checklists attached and more information can be found at www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/how-clean-and-disinfect-your-workplace-covid-19
What do we do if someone tests positive for COVID-19?
People who have tested positive to COVID-19 will receive a letter from Public Health Services telling them when they can leave isolation and return to normal duties, including work. (Source Link)
The Dept of Health will manage contact tracing and notifications to any people who have been in close contact with a person who tests positive to COVID-19.
Affiliates should be ready to give over any records of attendees at their events to the Dept to assist with contact tracing and notifications.
What is considered “close contact” in Tassie?
A close contact is anyone who:
- has had face-to-face contact for more than 15 minutes (cumulative over the course of a week) with someone known to have COVID-19, while that person was or may have been infectious, including in the 48 hours before their symptoms started
- shared a closed space (e.g. waiting room, classroom) for more than two hours with someone known to have COVID-19, while that person was or may have been infectious, including in the 48 hours before their symptoms started.
Close contacts do not include healthcare workers and other people who used infection control precautions, including the recommended personal protective equipment, while caring for someone with COVID-19.
Any other contact is deemed low risk. (Source link)
When will restrictions change again?
From 13 July 2020 a further easing of restrictions is planned in Tasmania. Further information on how this will impact faith communities will become available closer to that date.
Source: Tasmania Dept of Health Hotline 1800 671 738 as at 12/6/2020
For more information:
The Tasmanian Government’s Roadmap to Recovery
Read more about requirements of businesses under the COVID-19 Safe Workplaces Framework
Tasmanian Public Health Hotline: 1800 671 738
Safe Work Australia
Worksafe Tasmania
10 NATIONAL COVID-19 SAFE WORKPLACE PRINCIPLES
Source: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/covid-19-information-workplaces/other-resources/national-covid-19-safe-workplace-principles
Recognising that the COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency, that all actions in respect of COVID-19 should be founded in expert health advice, and that the following principles operate subject to the measures agreed and implemented by governments through the National Cabinet process:
1. All workers, regardless of their occupation or how they are engaged, have the right to a healthy and safe working environment.
2. The COVID-19 pandemic requires a uniquely focused approach to work health and safety (WHS) as it applies to businesses, workers and others in the workplace.
3. To keep our workplaces healthy and safe, businesses must, in consultation with workers, and their representatives, assess the way they work to identify, understand and quantify risks and to implement and review control measures to address those risks.
4. As COVID-19 restrictions are gradually relaxed, businesses, workers and other duty holders must work together to adapt and promote safe work practices, consistent with advice from health authorities, to ensure their workplaces are ready for the social distancing and exemplary hygiene measures that will be an important part of the transition.
5. Businesses and workers must actively control against the transmission of COVID-19 while at work, consistent with the latest advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), including considering the application of a hierarchy of appropriate controls where relevant.
6. Businesses and workers must prepare for the possibility that there will be cases of COVID-19 in the workplace and be ready to respond immediately, appropriately, effectively and efficiently, and consistent with advice from health authorities.
7. Existing state and territory jurisdiction of WHS compliance and enforcement remains critical. While acknowledging that individual variations across WHS laws mean approaches in different parts of the country may vary, to ensure business and worker confidence, a commitment to a consistent national approach is key. This includes a commitment to communicating what constitutes best practice in prevention, mitigation and response to the risks presented by COVID-19.
8. Safe Work Australia (SWA), through its tripartite membership, will provide a central hub of WHS guidance and tools that Australian workplaces can use to successfully form the basis of their management of health and safety risks posed by COVID-19.
9. States and Territories ultimately have the role of providing advice, education, compliance and enforcement of WHS and will leverage the use of the SWA central hub in fulfilling their statutory functions.
10. The work of the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission will complement the work of SWA, jurisdictions and health authorities to support industries more broadly to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic appropriately, effectively and safely.
OUR COMMUNITY WEBINAR: MANAGING YOUR RETURN TO THE WORKPLACE
This popular free 1hr webinar is available on repeat and will help you plan your return to the workplace with the help of legal experts Moores. Click here to watch this recording.
STAY UP TO DATE
The aim of these emails is to keep you in the loop and up to date with the most relevant changes, information, and advice but of course it does not replace official Federal or State Government health advice.
Please check the source links for more information if you are unsure how COVID-19 restrictions may impact your specific ministry activities.
COVID-19 is a constantly evolving situation, and all Affiliates are reminded to stay on top of the latest information. Learn more by referring to trusted sources, such as: