Covid-19 Update (New Brunswick) March 16, 2022
Dear members of Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Council (New Brunswick):
Over the past two years, so many messages regarding Covid-19 guidance and memos, have been sent from my office to all pastoral charges. I remember two years ago when we all had to make the difficult decision to shut down for what we thought, at the time, would be two weeks. We have now turned the corner to a new reality; the lifting of remaining restrictions on March 14 means New Brunswickers will no longer be required to wear masks in public spaces or limit gathering numbers. All businesses and organizations will be permitted to operate at full capacity without physical distancing requirements.
I have reached out to our legal counsel, inquiring as to whether our churches can still require proof of vaccination if it is no longer mandated by our governments and health authorities. I was told my inquiry is quite timely, as this was the current topic of discussion amongst their legal colleagues. As we have never been in a pandemic before, we have no precedent as to whether congregations can require people to provide personal health information, i.e. proof of vaccination, when the government is no longer requiring such mandates.
Given that a proof of vaccination reveals personal health information, which is private, the understanding is that a congregation cannot legally compel anyone to provide such information and bar entry if they don’t. While at this point there is not a definitive answer, and we are awaiting more information, I am inclined to advise that proof of vaccination no longer be part of the process for access to church entry.
However, we have heard from our health authorities that businesses, workplaces and other public spaces can choose to continue recommend masking. As we know that COVID is still very much a part of our lives, and we have members of our Communities of Faith and family members who are vulnerable feel it is wise for our churches to proceed with a degree of caution.
Therefore, in order to continue to protect the most vulnerable amongst us, I would suggest, that as you make your plans for reopening post public restrictions, that you do so slowly. You may wish to add some of the following to your reopening plans. With operating at full attendance capacity and Proof of Vaccination, no longer being required for entry you may wish to:
- Continue to have hand sanitizer be available throughout the building.
- Recommend masks still be worn for the full service at least for the next month.
- Have a gradual move to: masks being required when moving around the church building, but may be removed while seated, if you are comfortable doing so.
- Physical distancing maintained between rows but not between seats. Asking people to sit in their bubbles where possible. If people are nervous and wish to be distanced from other, have ushers available for help with seating.
- Coffee Times, before or after church: People should be seated rather than moving around eating and drinking. It would be good to avoid buffet style for the time being, and have a person serve the tea and coffee with the snacks prepackaged or on individual plates.
- It might be a good practice right now to have youth and children’s programming offered with the requirement of masks and have leaders and volunteers wearing masks.
- Offering plates continue to be placed in the church for offering and not passed around. You may also wish continue to highlight other giving options; Pre-Authorized Remittance, Postdated Cheques, etc.
- Caution should continue to be taken with Baptism and Communion.
- Caution should continue to be taken with visitation at institutions and personal homes of congregants.
- Continue to clean frequently touched areas.
As these are the hoped-for next steps, let us move forward with great care for one another. Let us continue to be patient and kind, as everyone will not be in the same place when it comes to their comfort levels. Ministry & Personnel Committees, please remember to check in on your staff.
Let us, with grace and courage, walk into this next phase with love for one another foremost on our minds and in our hearts.
If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to be in contact.
Blessings, Faith March-MacCuish Executive Minister