For many of us, our faith and spiritual community are critical to our well-being, especially in a time of crisis. This document includes guidelines for places of worship under the State’s “Safer-at-Home” Executive Order. It is important to note that your city or county may still be under a Stay-at-Home order or an approved variance from the statewide Safer-at-Home Order.  If that is the case, please familiarize yourself with the guidelines applicable to places of worship under those orders, and abide by those guidelines. 

Under Safer-at-Home, gatherings are permitted as long as they are under 10 people and social distancing (6 feet apart) is observed. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment supports the necessary continuation of electronic platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic for services, Bible studies, small groups, meetings, etc.  In addition, places of worship with adequate parking lot resources may safely hold “drive-in” services as long as the following guidelines are followed at all times. Showing how we value the sanctity of life and are acting to reduce the spread of this deadly virus by being innovative in safely meeting, the pastoral and spiritual needs of Coloradans is the calling of this moment in time. 

Guidelines for drive-in type venues

Practice physical distancing, as detailed below.

• Use electronics that attendees can have inside the car or use a radio channel to broadcast the audio and/or video.
  • If you will be providing devices, ensure they are cleaned and disinfected prior to passing them out.
  • It is preferable for attendees to use their own, personal devices for audio/video.
• Attendees need to stay in their vehicles and not socialize through their vehicle windows.
• Public restrooms must be cleaned and have signage posted that they should be used by only one person at a time.
• Cleaning guidance.
• Those most at risk, including people over age 65 and anyone with a pre-existing immune or respiratory condition, are urged to remain home, following the guidance of the previous Stay-at-Home order. 
• There should be no other opportunity for in-person interaction. Do not have food or beverage or any other services at the site. Do not make available gathering spaces at this location for attendees to gather outside of their vehicles.
• Have attendees turn off their vehicles to avoid idling and protect everyone’s health.

General guidelines for broadcasting services with a crew of 10 or fewer people

Crew shall follow all social/physical distancing requirements. The following requirements apply to crew, as well as participants who may be present at the time of broadcasting.

• Direct those having symptoms of COVID-19– as well as people who have had close contact with a person who has symptoms (fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, head or body aches) to refrain from participating in any aspect of in-person services and stay at home unless they need medical care.
• People must be at least 6 feet apart at all times while seated and standing.
  • Brainstorm virtual alternatives to handshaking, handholding, hugging, communion, passing the peace, etc.
  • Remember, the smaller the group, the larger the space, and the healthier the people are beforehand, the lower the risk of transmission.
• Those most at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 (people 65 and older, people who have chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma, people who have serious heart conditions, people who are immunocompromised, and pregnant people) should follow the guidance of the previous
• Stay-at-Home order and not attend in-person services.
• Consider providing hand sanitizer and tissues in convenient locations.
• Urge attendees to wear a mask or cloth face covering) over their mouths and noses while attending services.
• Consider asking (or screening) attendees for signs of illness before admitting them into the place of worship. Disallow individuals with elevated temperatures or signs of illness (coughing, runny nose, sneezing).

Clean and disinfect all surfaces before and after any in-person gathering.

• Follow these guidelines.

Health protocols for your employees, volunteers, and workspaces.

Maintain in-office occupancy at no more than 50% of total at one time by maximizing use of telecommuting and developing in-office rotation.

• Employees and volunteers are required to wear masks or cloth face coverings to protect themselves and others while at work.
• Allow for flexible work schedules, where possible, to lessen the need to be in the office during normal business hours. This could include allowing employees to work evenings or weekends, when the office is traditionally less crowded or closed.
• Minimize the number of in-person meetings and maintain adequate 6-foot distancing in those meetings. Use online conferencing, email, or the phone instead of in-person meetings, even when people are in the same building, whenever possible.
• Provide flexible or remote scheduling for employees who need to continue to observe Stay-at-Home, who may have child or elder care obligations, or who live with a person who still needs to observe Stay-at-Home due to underlying condition, age, or other factors.
• Be flexible for those most at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 (including people 65 and older, people who have chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma, people who have serious heart conditions, people who are immunocompromised, and pregnant people) because they need to follow the previous Stay-at-Home order.

Incorporate best practices

• Deputize workplace coordinator(s) charged with addressing COVID-19 issues and for planning and communication, developing a plan for resources like cleaning supplies and internal regular (daily or weekly) communication, planning for employees to be out of the office for quarantine or caring for others, and considering how new precautions will affect  workflow, etc.
• Require gloves and masks or cloth face coverings for any interactions with other individuals (e.g. customers, co-workers, vendors) 
• Provide employees with cleaning and disinfection products and guidance on daily workspace cleaning routines.
• Post signage for employees and customers on good hygiene and new office practices, and make regular announcements to remind employees and volunteers to follow physical distancing guidelines.
• Do not allow an employee or volunteer with known close contact to a person who is confirmed to have COVID-19 to return to work until the end of the 14-day self-quarantine period from the last date of exposure.
• Have employees or volunteers maintain at least 6 feet separation from other individuals.  
• Encourage the use of digital files rather than paper formats (e.g., documentation, invoices, inspections, forms, agendas).
• Ensure a minimum of 6 feet of space between all desks/workspaces.

Screen employees and volunteers before coming into the place of worship

• Take their temperature and ask simple screening questions or have employees and volunteers take their temperature at home and report the results. Forms are available at https://covid19.colorado.gov/guidance-resources
• Immediately send home any employee or volunteer who has any of the following new or worsening signs or symptoms of possible COVID-19:

·  Refer symptomatic employees and volunteers to the CDPHE Symptom Tracker.

·  Do not allow employees or volunteers with new or worsening symptoms to return to work until 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared and they have been fever-free (without the help of medication) for 72 hours.

·  Ask employees or volunteers to clean  their hands frequently. 

Health protocols for facilities

• Modify the flow of people traffic to minimize contact between people (e.g. designate doors for entry or exit only).
• Frequently clean and disinfect any regularly touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, tables, chairs, and restrooms.
• Implement 6-foot distancing measures (e.g., marked space).
• Ensure proper ventilation.
•  Disinfect seats.
• Disinfect any items that come into contact with employees and volunteers.
• Make hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, soap and water, or similar disinfectant readily available at entrances and other high-traffic locations.
• Place readily visible signage to remind everyone of best hygiene practices.
• If a church or place of worship provides meals for employees, volunteers, or those in need it is recommended to have the meals individually packed for each employee or volunteer.
• Maintain rigorous sanitation practices like disinfection, handwashing, and cleanliness when preparing or serving anything edible. 

Funerals and other special events

• For conducting funerals, please visit the CDC’s website on funeral guidance.
• Under Safer-at-Home, weddings and other small events may resume as long as the gatherings are of 10 or fewer people and physical distancing (6 feet apart) is observed. Event staff are required to wear a mask or cloth face covering and appropriate protective equipment as needed and required by OSHA standards. The 10- person limit includes event staff.
• While the Safer-at-Home level is in effect, gatherings in both public and private spaces of more than 10 people are prohibited. We advise continuing to only socialize with members of your household. Any gatherings of 10 or fewer people outside your household should adhere to all Social/Physical Distancing Requirements and recommendations.