Open Arms Operating Plan
Please Read Carefully
We are excited to meet physically as a church family again! During this time of Covid, it is both important to keep us safe and to show our community they will be safe if they choose to join us. We need to follow government guidelines as closely as possible. We can work together to have high standards that build trust and safety. If you or your children have any symptoms of illness, please stay home and enjoy the service online.
With that in mind, the following Covid safety protocols have been developed. If anything changes, we will use all available communication to let you know as quickly as possible.
We will be following the safest approach: Wash Your Hands, Wear Your Mask, Social Distance and if Feeling Sick Stay Home!
PRE-REGISTRATION
• Preregistration is strongly recommended: Each person needs to be registered who will be attending with you.
• A weekly EventBrite invitation will be sent out to help you preregister, you do not need to bring the ticket with you.
• Seating is arranged via ‘Bubble’ tables. Preregistration helps with this process.
• If someone shows up unregistered, seating is available to the building’s Covid capacity.
We will be following the safest approach: Wash Your Hands, Wear Your Mask, Social Distance and if Feeling Sick Stay Home!
PRE-REGISTRATION
• Preregistration is strongly recommended: Each person needs to be registered who will be attending with you.
• A weekly EventBrite invitation will be sent out to help you preregister, you do not need to bring the ticket with you.
• Seating is arranged via ‘Bubble’ tables. Preregistration helps with this process.
• If someone shows up unregistered, seating is available to the building’s Covid capacity.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE
1) Signage to keep everyone socially distanced and for specific instruction.
2) Masks are mandatory. If you forgot your mask, we have one for you.
3) That children under 2 & children under 4 who cannot be persuaded-do not have to wear masks.
4) A hand sanitization table.
5) A registration table with Covid questions. If you have a medical note showing you cannot wear a mask, please bring it so that it can be recorded at registration.
6) Everyone sits with their self-identified bubble. There will be 4 adult limit + children at each table.
7) Coffee, tea or water to take into the auditorium. Please keep cup lids on due to the carpet. You can bring your own water bottles or snacks for your family. No juice due to the carpet.
8) An usher to direct or take you to your ‘Bubble’ table at the auditorium entrance. Tables will be 6 ft apart. Limited seating is against the walls for people by themselves or at the last minute.
1) Signage to keep everyone socially distanced and for specific instruction.
2) Masks are mandatory. If you forgot your mask, we have one for you.
3) That children under 2 & children under 4 who cannot be persuaded-do not have to wear masks.
4) A hand sanitization table.
5) A registration table with Covid questions. If you have a medical note showing you cannot wear a mask, please bring it so that it can be recorded at registration.
6) Everyone sits with their self-identified bubble. There will be 4 adult limit + children at each table.
7) Coffee, tea or water to take into the auditorium. Please keep cup lids on due to the carpet. You can bring your own water bottles or snacks for your family. No juice due to the carpet.
8) An usher to direct or take you to your ‘Bubble’ table at the auditorium entrance. Tables will be 6 ft apart. Limited seating is against the walls for people by themselves or at the last minute.
9) While seated at Bubble Tables:
• Wear your mask except to drink your beverage.
• Wear your mask while singing.
• Please stand if you can to enjoy the worship music!
• Stay at your table unless you need to go to the bathroom or there is an emergency.
• Children stay with you and engage in the activity baskets provided.
10) There is distance corridor around the stage so that the music worship team and the pastor or speaker do not need to wear a mask. Please do not go into this space.
11) At the end of service, tables will leave individually, starting with those closest to the door.
12) There will be no social beverage/snack time after the service.
13) There will be a basket to put in your tithes and offerings as you leave the building.
14) Please, if visiting outside in the parking lot, use the same Covid rules as we use inside. The community will be watching to see if we are following Covid protocols.
• Wear your mask except to drink your beverage.
• Wear your mask while singing.
• Please stand if you can to enjoy the worship music!
• Stay at your table unless you need to go to the bathroom or there is an emergency.
• Children stay with you and engage in the activity baskets provided.
10) There is distance corridor around the stage so that the music worship team and the pastor or speaker do not need to wear a mask. Please do not go into this space.
11) At the end of service, tables will leave individually, starting with those closest to the door.
12) There will be no social beverage/snack time after the service.
13) There will be a basket to put in your tithes and offerings as you leave the building.
14) Please, if visiting outside in the parking lot, use the same Covid rules as we use inside. The community will be watching to see if we are following Covid protocols.
COMMUNION: We are investigating the safest way to do Communion.
BATHROOMS • Bathrooms are single use only. Please use the provided disinfectant wipes to wipe touched surfaces. • Parents must accompany young children that need help wiping down surfaces.
CHILDREN AND NURSERY • Kids must be accompanied by a parent and stay at their tables. Activities will be provided. • Children under 2 and children under 4 who cannot be persuaded - do NOT have to wear masks. • After assessing how things work practically as we gather, we will look at the Covid Day Camp Rules to see if we are able to have Kidz church. • The nursery will be open for those with babies or toddlers. Masks and social distancing in place. The nursery is placed so you can hear and see the auditorium stage.
BATHROOMS • Bathrooms are single use only. Please use the provided disinfectant wipes to wipe touched surfaces. • Parents must accompany young children that need help wiping down surfaces.
CHILDREN AND NURSERY • Kids must be accompanied by a parent and stay at their tables. Activities will be provided. • Children under 2 and children under 4 who cannot be persuaded - do NOT have to wear masks. • After assessing how things work practically as we gather, we will look at the Covid Day Camp Rules to see if we are able to have Kidz church. • The nursery will be open for those with babies or toddlers. Masks and social distancing in place. The nursery is placed so you can hear and see the auditorium stage.
LIVESTREAM Services will continue to be livestreamed. Our use of technology and language will reflect the importance of both in person and online participants.
If you have any questions about Open Arms Covid Safety Protocols, please contact Wanda Clay.