Everyone has a role to play in slowing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).  As restrictions ease, it is even more important you take extra steps to keep each other safe.  Detailed below are recommendations from the BUV for best practice COVIDSafe reopening (subject to current restrictions). If in doubt, please ring the Victorian Coronavirus Hotline 1800 675 398 and seek advice specific to your circumstances. 

 Be COVIDSafe 

• Please adhere to all Government regulations for Places of Worship and Industry Restart Guidelines
• Review and update your  COVIDSafe plan  regularly, especially when restrictions or public health advice changes. Churches with multiple campuses must complete a COVIDSafe Plan for each location
• Nominate a COVIDsafe responsible person for each gathering
• We recommend a 30 minutes break in between gatherings to ensure that groups do not congregate in and around places of worship
• Encourage staff to learn more about infection control – Free, short, accredited training is available to help staff identify and manage the ongoing risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in the workplace 
• Cleaning, density quotient, signage, wearing of face masks and record keeping requirements continue to apply
• Consider using a QR code system (ie Sign in Safe), google form or ticketing system (ie Try Booking) for record keeping
• More COVIDSafe resources here

Baptism

• If the ceremony can be held outdoors, it should. Being outdoor reduces the risk of spreading the virus significantly 
• If held indoor, take reasonable steps to ensure indoor space is well-ventilated 
• Adhere to current cap limit and density quotient of 1 per 4sqm
• No group limit but ensure participants/attendees are reasonably capable of maintaining a distance of 1.5m from each other
• Ensure water is chlorinated or changed between each baptism
• We recommend baptism by a member of the same household
• We recommend faith leader to be wearing mask when baptising
• Masks are dangerous when wet – participants do not need to wear mask when in water

Communion

• Currently, no food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment is permitted to be shared by participants. We advise to err on the side of caution and minimise food handling 
• Encourage members to BYO communion
• Consider serving prefilled communion cups or setup serving stations with servers handing out communion (wearing gloves and using tongs). Make sure servers adhere to 1.5m social distancing regulation

Offering

• Encourage online giving or direct bank transfer 
• Avoid passing the offering bags/buckets. Position buckets in convenient places, so people can leave their offerings without touching the bags/buckets
• Provide offering volunteers (counting and recording) with hand sanitizer and gloves (be conscious that some people are allergic to latex). Make sure counters adhere to 1.5m social distancing regulation 

Singing 

• Small choirs or singers should only perform in well ventilated indoor settings, such as with windows open. Singing outdoors is strongly recommended as it is much safer
• Fans are not recommended for enclosed indoor spaces for singing
• Performers should be 2 meters apart and 5 meters from the audience
• Source