We are thankful to take steps toward coming back from COVID. Needfully, this will be a slow road forward requiring us to be careful and flexible. I believe our church is a resilient bunch, and it is now that a strong spirit of unity most counts.
Beginning on the 21st December you will have three options for worship on Sunday:
1. Continue joining us online either at 10:30am or 5:00pm
2. Rostered/Reserved seats for the 10:30am service (up to 50)
3. Rostered/Reserved seats for the 5:00pm service (up to 50)
Our goal is to facilitate regathering in a safe and compliant way, and to make our services as “touchless” as possible. We have tried to make these guidelines simple, asking you to manage your own risk and to express care toward others.
Finally, this plan is fluid and represents only the first phase of returning to church. We ask you to regather in person only when you are comfortable doing so. We love you and look forward to worshipping with you, either in person or online. We pray diligently that this hardship will pass and that you will stay healthy and safe.
Currently, our state is allowing gatherings based on square metres. We expect this number to increase over time, and as it does, it will be in communicated to the church and adjustments made. At this juncture, our auditorium is only able to have up to 50 adults (from the 21st Dec 2020) apart from essential church workers.
We will provide multiple separate seating spaces during each service. This will help with social distancing, flow, and families with small children.
While we always seek to maintain high standards of cleanliness, extra measures have been taken to clean our common areas.
In the last month, we have hired temporary additional cleaning staff to sanitize chairs, surfaces, and toys.
Our goal is to make service attendance as “touchless” as possible.
Please stay home if you or anyone in your family is showing symptoms of illness. Please note below list of symptoms based on the NSW Government Health website:
It is safest for seniors (65+) and the immunocompromised to avoid large gatherings for now. The NSW Government strongly recommend that you continue engaging online throughout this time.
Based on what we know now, those at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19 are:
• People 65 years and older
• People with underlying medical conditions
Medical conditions include, but are not limited to:
• Chronic lung disease or asthma
• Heart conditions
• Diabetes
• immunocompromised
• We will ask the person to stay home and seek medical care if needed.
• We will contact all attendees present at the same service as the person who was ill.
• Any areas we determine the confirmed COVID-19 person visited will be sanitised carefully.
Thank you for understanding the need for these guidelines. As we begin our comeback, we each assume a certain level of risk and responsibility. Please only assume that risk when you are comfortable doing so in relation to your personal vulnerability. Please help us protect others by embracing these guidelines responsibly.
While enhanced safety measures are being taken at Southland Baptist Church, an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the NSW Health Authorities, senior citizens and guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. By visiting Southland Baptist Church, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.