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ADVISORY TO UCJCI MINISTERS AND CONGREGATIONAL BOARDS RE: COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS

ADVISORY TO UCJCI MINISTERS, LAY PASTORS AND CONGREGATIONAL BOARDS RE: COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS

In light of the confirmed case of COVID-19 Coronavirus in Jamaica and the likelihood of the spread of same, we are advised to follow the directives from the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) and the World Health Organization (WHO). These can be found at the following websites:

a) https://www.moh.gov.jm/edu-resources/learn-about-the-coronaviruses/ b) https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-forpublic/myth-busters c) https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/

Pamphlets regarding the Coronavirus that have been prepared by the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) Jamaica are available at MOHW Regional Offices and Health Centres. Information on preparation for, and prevention of, the Coronavirus may be obtained from the Ministry of Health, Environment, Culture and Housing, Public Health Department in Grand Cayman.  

The Jamaican public is further encouraged to contact 888-ONE-LOVE (663-5683) for additional information. Likewise, the Cayman public is encouraged to contact 1-800-534-8600, 1-800-9473007 (Digicel), or flu@hsa.ky for further information.

We have prepared the following advisory which is recommended for UCJCI churches, to assist in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our members and visitors.
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING FACILITIES
 Churches should ensure that there is water in all bathrooms and kitchens, and repair water taps that are not working.  Ensure a consistent supply of liquid hand soap in all bathrooms and kitchens. Do not dilute hand soap as this does not promote good hygiene. Plan for and provide an adequate supply of soap to prevent depletion of stock.
 HAND SANITIZERS
 Hand gels should contain a minimum of 60% alcohol to be effective.  The best hand gels are those that state, “kills 99% bacteria and viruses” and are between 6095% alcohol-based.  Provide hand sanitizers in bathrooms, kitchens, foyers, meeting rooms and church halls.
HYGIENE PRACTICES
 Carry tissues and use them when coughing, sneezing and wiping your nose, then carefully place them in a bin and wash your hands.
 Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and then dry thoroughly.
 Wash hands regularly throughout the day.
 Use hand sanitizers after touching surfaces.
 Use toilet tissue to touch bathroom taps and toilet handles, and when opening and closing bathroom doors.
 Open doors with elbows or tissues.
 Use knuckles to flip light switches.
PERSONAL BEHAVIOUR 
 Avoid touching your face.
 Viruses can remain on surfaces for a few days. When we touch surfaces where the virus may have been deposited, then touch our nose, mouth or eyes, the virus can enter from there.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
 The World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) recommend standing at least 1 metre (3 feet) away from people who are sneezing, coughing and snivelling. This will prevent you from breathing in tiny droplets which may contain the virus when people cough and sneeze.
 Avoid evangelistic crusades. Seek other ways of evangelizing.
GREETING EACH OTHER
Protect your personal space and prevent the spread of the virus by adhering to the following:
 Avoid handshakes, kissing and hugging.
 Use alternatives such as smiling, nodding, waving, and bowing.
 Ministers/Lay Pastors should avoid greeting persons at the door of the church after worship services.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/EDUCATION
 Relay the above information through verbal announcements, bulletins (Orders of Service), social media and website posts, WhatsApp messages, e-mail, placements on notice boards, etc. It is necessary to do this on a weekly basis to ensure that there is adequate repetition to assist persons to retain the information. This will allow members and visitors who have been absent from church to both hear and see the announcements.
 Find timely opportunities to have practical educational sessions in each auxiliary and other groups regarding the above guidelines.
COMMUNION SERVICES
Please allow more time for communion services in order to ensure the following:
 Adequate time given for hygiene practices before and after the communion.
 Ministers/Lay Pastors and Elders who break and distribute the emblems (bread and wine) are advised to wash hands and use a hand sanitizer as indicated above.
 If Ministers/Lay Pastors or Elders are having a cold or flu symptoms they should not serve communion. They should stay home. 
 Fill communion cups using careful hygiene measures as described above.

Various options for the execution of the communion services may be exercised:
 Use tongs for distribution of communion elements and use gloves.
 Use disposable communion cups or give adequate space to each cup placed in the communion tray to avoid persons touching other cups.
 Provide garbage bags in the sanctuary for disposal of communion cups immediately after use.
 Determine a way other than counting communion cups to ascertain levels of participation.  Offer virtual communion celebration, where possible. 
PARTAKING OF MEALS AND DRINKS
 Use disposable cutlery wrapped in serviette if serving food. Do not use uncovered cutlery in open baskets that people will dip into and search through before picking up the item.
 Have servers serve the food instead of persons serving themselves where everyone is touching the serving spoons.
 Use gloves if serving both hot and cold food and beverages.
 Serve more single wrapped or packages items.
 Avoid using water dispensers. Encourage congregants to carry their own water to church.
WORSHIP LEADING
 Discourage the sharing of microphones, and where possible, eliminate their use.
 If microphones are used, where possible use disposable microphone covers.
TITHES AND OFFERINGS
 Facilitate walk-up offerings with containers strategically placed in the sanctuary as an alternative for offering bags.
 Ushers and those who count offerings are encouraged to wash and sanitize hands before and after handling money. They may otherwise opt to wear gloves. 
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS FOR WORSHIP

Persons are strongly discouraged to attend church or church-related gatherings if they present with cold or flu-like symptoms. Persons should not be admitted to such gatherings in those cases.
If you feel unwell, please worship at home and watch a live-streamed service, where possible. Some congregations that offer live streaming of Sunday worship services are:

a) Webster Memorial United Church (Jamaica) at: http://new.livestream.com/webstermemorial/ (7:15 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.)
b) Meadowbrook United Church at: https://livestream.com/muc/ (7:30 a.m.)
c) Ridgemount United Church at: https://www.facebook.com/Ridgemount-United-Church (SERMON ONLY at 10:20 a.m.)
d) Bodden Town Charge (Webster Memorial United Church – Cayman Islands) at: https://www.facebook.com/webstermemorialcirmc (11 a.m.)
e) North Side Charge (William Pouchie United Church) at: https://www.facebook.com/wpmucns (9 a.m.)
SYMPTOMS AND SELF-ISOLATION
If you have a high temperature (38C/100.4F or above) or have a low-grade fever (37.5C – 38C), cough, breathing difficulties or breathlessness, please call a doctor or hospital for advice. 
During self-isolation, or if quarantine is advised by a health professional, you should not use public transport, attend public places, or go to college, university, school or work. This could be for a period of 2 weeks.
CHURCH CLEANING
It is advised to thoroughly clean church premises each week, as the COVID-19 Coronavirus lives on surfaces for a few days.
 The church caretaker/cleaner should be advised to thoroughly clean church benches, door handles, church rails, light switches and all surfaces in bathrooms, kitchens and meeting places each week.
 Ensure that such cleaning is monitored.
OLDER MEMBERS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES
Keep in touch with our older members and persons with ongoing health conditions during this time. These persons are the most vulnerable to the virus, and are encouraged to avoid large gatherings, especially if they are frail or currently unwell.
It is essential to keep in touch with them so that they do not feel isolated. This may be done through regular phone calls to find out how they are doing, and to ensure that they have adequate resources such as food and other essential items.
VISITING THE SICK
Ministers, Lay Pastors and Elders who visit the sick should practice social distancing and proper hygiene as indicated above.
PRAYER
Let us commit to being in prayer for those impacted by the COVID-19 Coronavirus, those grieving the loss of loved ones as a result; and against the further spread of the virus. God is well able to intervene in this crisis, and we lift up our eyes, as our help comes from the Lord who is the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2).
 
THE UNITED CHURCH IN JAMAICA AND THE CAYMAN ISLANDS 

Posted by: Administrator Wednesday Mar 11, 2020 16:52
Categories: COVID 19 | Tags: