covid19-related risk assessments for holy trinity
TRANSCRIPT
Page 1 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
COVID19-related Risk Assessments for Holy Trinity Prestwood: Church
Contents 1. Use of Holy Trinity Church for Prayer and Regular Worship ................................................................................................................................................... 4
2. Cleaning of the Church ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
3. Use of Holy Trinity Church for Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals ........................................................................................................................................ 16
4. Outdoor services in Holy Trinity Churchyard ......................................................................................................................................................................... 22
5. Controls relating to non-worship activities in Church ........................................................................................................................................................... 25
6. Procedures ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 27
7. Items for Reviews ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 29
Version Control
Issue Date Version Number Issued by/update
9th June 2021 22 Update to additional controls for Toddler Thursday, also for revised seating plan
20th May 2021 21 Revised seating plan for church
17th May 2021 20 Changes for Step 3: revisions to general church mitigations; coffee after church, updated references to latest Church of England guidance. Removal of historic controls, relating to the opening of church after initial lockdown in June 2020 (previous versions of this Risk Assessment are retained in historic archive).
Page 2 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
15th April 2021 19 Addition of controls for Toddler Thursdays
29th March 2021 18 Reintroduction of ‘rule of six’, singing outdoors, reintroduction of servers in worship
15th December 17 Toddler services added
3rd December 16 End of the national lockdown on 3rd December. Public worship allowed to recommence.
9th November 15 National lockdown 5/11/2020 – 2/12/2020 Churches can remain open for individual prayer. Collective or congregational prayer and regular scheduled services are not permitted. Broadcasting worship from church is permitted with those people essential for the content of the service, and for technical support. Individuals may still carry out voluntary activities such as opening and closing the church. Baptisms not allowed nor most weddings. Funerals permitted. New section added for interments and burials in churchyard with 15 person limit. Permitted activities in church buildings specified.
12th October 2020 14 Electrical safety. Heating switched on and revised ventilation procedures. Use of NHS Test and Trace QR poster. Introduction of the rule of 6. Change to maximum attendees at weddings
14th September 2020 13 Inclusion of risk assessment for reopening of church toilet facilities
4th September 2020 12 Non-worship activities risk assessment fully populated in this version
2nd September 2020 11 Addition of non-worship activities, also Children’s activities in worship and various other minor updates
21st August 2020 10 Baptisms
17th August 2020 9 Inclusion of outdoor services
11th August 2020 8 Weddings, funerals and Face coverings for clergy and leaders
4/8/2020 7 Facecoverings are mandatory
26/7/2020 6 Facemasks guidance
20/7/2020 5 Revision following review
9th July 2020 4 Holy Trinity Prestwood, covering 8am worship
12th June 2020 3 The House of Bishops COVID-19 Recovery Group
8th June 2020 2 The House of Bishops COVID-19 Recovery Group
Page 3 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
22nd May 2020 1 The House of Bishops COVID-19 Recovery Group
Churches and cathedrals are legally permitted to open for purposes of individual private prayer from 13th June 2020. House of Bishops guidance provides for churches to open for funerals from 15th June.
The government guidance for the safe use of places of worship during the pandemic requires a COVID-19 risk assessment to be carried out for every building and site open to the public. This document provides a template risk assessment, with links to the relevant advice notes. It relates to opening up church and cathedral buildings to clergy and members of the public entering for individual private prayer. As well as offering guidance on best-practice, it is also intended to help parishes make a decision on whether to open for individual private prayer or not, based on their local circumstances, resources and context. Future versions of this document will be produced when different forms of public worship and access are allowed. A risk assessment relating to contractors and construction workers forms part of an updated document giving advice on access for these groups. This can be found on the Church of England Coronavirus pages.
Page 4 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
1. Use of Holy Trinity Church for Prayer and Regular Worship
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
Ongoing controls for the Church building, for private prayer, during Step 3 (from 17th May 2021)
Summary of controls in place at Step 3:
• Signage: A-frame outside; at entrance/exit; by flower sink; in toilet.
• Sanitise hands on arrival and on leaving the building.
• Wipes available to wipe seating if needed
• Track & Trace: sheet and QR code at main entrance.
• In church, masks to be worn (unless exempt) and social distancing to be observed, in groups of max 6 people or 2 households.
• Daily ventilation during opening, also during services.
• Weekly cleaning regime, plus specific cleaning between services which fall at less than 72 hour intervals.
• Books, leaflets, candles etc. taken away.
• Seating to meet social distancing requirements.
See below for further detail.
Summary of changes since Step 2:
• Updated signage (some removed), to reflect current instructions and general public understanding.
• One way system removed from church, owing to low footfall during the week and natural one-way traffic around services.
• Rope cordons removed, also daily wiping down of seating stopped, as low footfall and reduced general incidence of Covid make this unnecessary.
Kevin Lovell and Deiniol Heywood
In progress
Signage updated to emphasise:
• Masks on in church
• Sign in using Track & Trace sheet or scan QR code
A-frame front: welcome visitors, point them to the entrance, indicate secure processes. A-frame back: Come again soon!
Kevin Lovell 17/05/2021
Page 5 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
• Sanitise hands as you arrive and when you leave
• While in church, maintain social distance 2m
• Wipes available at entrance if needed
• Groups of max 6 people (or 2 households) Signage to be updated as instructions change.
Poster on stand at main entrance: masks on; complete T&T/QR scan; sanitise hands, keep distance, max 6 people/2 households. At flower sink: reminder to wash hands thoroughly. Toilet: reminder to wash hands thoroughly; reminder of good handwashing technique; wipe down regularly touched surfaces (flush handle, taps, doorhandle) with disinfectant cleaning wipes before leaving.
Supply of blank Track & Trace sheets to be held in vestry, by the service register book.
Three types of T&T sheet: 1) for private prayer 2) for a service in church 3) for an outdoor service.
Kevin Lovell Ongoing
Covid-secure items to ensure safety, are located at:
• Main entrance
• Flower sink
• Toilet
• Vestry
Inside main entrance door (beside font):
• Welcome sign
• Table with: QR code, track & trace sheet, anti-bacterial wipes and bin underneath
• Hand sanitiser stand At the flower sink:
• Hand sanitiser
• Soap and paper towels
• Bin
Deiniol Heywood 17/5/2021
Page 6 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
• Cleaning materials (paper towels, sanitiser spray and gloves) in cupboard over sink
Toilet:
• Soap and paper towels
• Bin Clergy vestry:
• Hand sanitiser and spray bottles of hand sanitiser for use by clergy during worship
• Supply of replacement consumables for the building
Kitchen area remains locked.
Walk through the church to plan for physical distancing in seats, to achieve required distance between households/bubbles.
Benches/seats set at required distance apart for social distancing. 25 social bubbles: 15 benches and 10 single seats. Plus 1 bench for sidesperson, spaces for organist and laptop operator (see sketch map at end of this document).
Dick Rivett Kevin Lovell and ColinMcBride Deiniol Heywood Deiniol Heywood
30/6/2020 30/10/2020 20/5/2021 25/5/2021
Remove all devotional items (hymn books, bibles, orders of service), plus leaflets except single use material that will be removed by user
Bookstand moved, banner in front to prevent access. Weekly use service sheets kept behind noticeboard in separate wallets. Kneelers behind stacked chairs. Candle/prayer request holders stored in Cottage Vestry.
Deiniol Heywood and Dick Rivett Kevin Lovell and Colin McBride
30/6/2020 31/10/2020
Page 7 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
Ensure regular ventilation of the building, by opening the main entrance and back doors for 15 minutes:
• Each morning during opening
• Before and after each service or event.
person opening the church, verger/ sidesperson or clergy.
Ongoing, no completion date.
After a service/event in church, wipe down benches and high-risk surfaces and touch points with sanitiser spray or anti-bacterial solution.
Wipe down benches/seats, doorhandles and handrails.
verger/sidesperson. Ongoing, no completion date.
Check the flower sink: ensure an adequate supply of soap and paper towels, and a bin for the paper towels is available.
Daily topping-up carried out by church openers.
Person opening the church (Jean Green to arrange).
Ongoing, daily
Check the toilet: ensure an adequate supply of soap and paper towels, and a bin for towels, is available.
Daily topping-up carried out by church openers.
Person opening the church (Jean Green to arrange).
Ongoing daily
Ensure all waste receptacles have disposable liners (e.g. polythene bin bags) to reduce the risk to those responsible for removing them.
All disposable liners to be removed as required by gloved opener and placed in wheelie bin outside back door. New ones inserted into bins.
Person opening the church
Ongoing role, no completion date.
Ensure a ready supply of consumables is
available in the vestry: hand sanitiser, toilet rolls, paper towels, soap, gloves, bin bags.
Regular checks on consumables to be made by clergy on Wednesdays and Sundays (following worship): any shortages reported to Parish Secretary
Kevin Lovell, Nigel Spoor or Deiniol Heywood
Ongoing.
Ensure regular cleaning of the church and toilet area, together with appropriate regular waste removal.
Regular weekly cleaning every Monday from 21st September 2020 onwards. Church openers empty bin regularly, for Monday collections.
Cleaner scheduled (Lesley Nicholl) Jean Green arrange via opening/closing rota
Ongoing
Page 8 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
Review the adequacy of our cleaning regime as the level of hirers increases through May/June 2021, and adjust if necessary to maintain safety.
Currently, low numbers in the building and familiarity with the need for social distancing do not warrant additional cleaning/signage.
Lesley Nicholl and Deiniol Heywood
Ongoing, weekly
Additional controls for Worship
Hand sanitiser and notices checked before people begin arriving for worship
Sidesperson Ongoing
Church seating laid out for worship See p6 ‘Benches/seats set at required distance apart for social distancing’ also back page for diagram
Sidesperson Ongoing
All persons volunteering to attend church to support worship (sidespersons, ministry team leaders, readers, intercessors, servers, etc.) to do so, fully aware of their own personal risk.
All volunteers must work through the Personal Risk Factors document before agreeing to volunteer
Clergy, wardens, ministry team leaders, etc.
Ongoing
Sidesperson for each service appointed Colin McBride Ongoing
Up to three servers to participate in services, stationed in the chancel area, remaining socially distanced throughout.
• All servers to be briefed by head server and/or Rector beforehand, as to their role, any hygiene procedures and seating arrangements during the service.
• Servers to arrive in good time, to allow for socially-distanced access to vestry and robing, before service start time.
Worship procedures to be followed. See below Sidesperson/ Minister
Ongoing
Page 9 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
Ensure building well ventilated before and during services, with main door(s) and back door open as appropriate, depending on wind speed/direction.
All doors to be open 15 minutes before services for ventilation
Sidesperson/ Minister
Ongoing
Face coverings are mandatory for all. There are exemptions for clergy and others whilst leading worship (such as readers and intercessors).
Sidesperson to wear face coverings and all attendees to do same. At the distribution of Holy Communion, the priest wears a face covering while the communicant temporarily removes their face covering.
Sidesperson/ Minister
Ongoing
There is to be no congregational singing, government guidance is to be followed regarding music played/sung by small groups of musicians.
See Church of England guidance (updated 17MAY21) sections 17-19
Minister Ongoing
Microphones to be used but not to be shared. Sidesperson/ minister
Ongoing
Orders of service: once weekly, low risk, but attendees invited to download to tablets, but sidesperson to put out Orders of service and collect afterwards whilst wearing gloves.
Sidesperson Ongoing
Vestry to be clear for minister(s) and server(s) to vest whilst maintaining social distancing.
Minister Ongoing
Hand Hygiene Protocol for communion: a) President only to prepare altar, lay up, ablute and tidy. b) Hands washed:
• before preparing altar,
• at start of service,
President Ongoing
Page 10 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
• at offertory,
• before distribution
Aerosol Hygiene for communion a) Face mask to be worn by President throughout b) Small communion wafers to be used by all, contained in ciborium (with lid affixed) during consecration. c) monstrance wafer placed on paten with pall covering. d) Priest’s wafer on top. e) Only president consumes priest’s wafer, assisting clergy consume small wafers. f) Presiding priest to consume monstrance wafer after Online Worship
President Ongoing
Assisting clergy to maintain social distancing in chancel.
Assisting clergy Ongoing
At distribution of Holy Communion, congregation remain in their places, priest comes to them (to reduce movement in church)
President Ongoing
Voices to be kept low and other guidance followed
Govt guidance and C of E specific guidance
Minister/Sidesperson Ongoing
Register to be kept of attendees as per guidance (from Eventbrite ticketing system or Track & Trace form)
Eventbrite online ticketing system preferred but capacity to safely record names of casual attendees. NHS Test and Trace QR poster for church also on display for users of the NHS Covid-19 App
Sidesperson Ongoing
Page 11 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
When gathered for communal worship and other permitted activities, people must not be part of a group of more than six (or 2 households/bubbles). People should be 2 metres apart or more than 1 metre apart as well as taking extra steps to stay safe (such as wearing face coverings) to reduce the risk of transmission.
Remind people to not mingle in groups >6 after services.
Minister/Sidesperson Ongoing
Church to be cleaned after worship ensure benches, high-risk surfaces and touch points have been wiped with appropriate sanitiser spray or disposable wipes
Sidesperson will use disposable gloves and ensure that all handles, santisers, open benches etc. are cleaned.
Sidesperson Ongoing
Additional controls for Toddler Services
Children <5 years in age are not expected to remain socially distanced and multiple adults can care for them.
Adult carers must maintain social distance
Adults Ongoing
Additional controls for Toddler Thursday
Social distancing to be maintained between adults who do not live together and are not in the same support bubble. Face masks to be worn by all adults.
Adult carers and volunteers must maintain social distance
Adults Ongoing
The Church is to be well ventilated throughout the session, with front and back doors open and stair gates in place.
Session leader Ongoing
No more than 6 adults, including the group leader, may sing along with the children under 5.
Session leader to appoint 6 adult singers. Adult Ongoing
Wrapped snacks to be provided.
Session leader and adult carers.
Page 12 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
Hot drinks to be provided following Church procedures (see section in green below).
Only attendee to touch their own travel mug.
Session leader, volunteers and adults carers.
Only plastic or easily wipeable toys and resources to be used.
Anti bac wipes to be available for parents to wipe a toy before their child’s turn if they so chose to do so.
Adult carers Ongoing
Session leader and volunteers to wear disposable gloves when setting out and packing away toys and resources. Toys and resources to then quarantined until the following session.
Session leader to ensure gloves are used, and that no other adults pack away the toys and resources.
Session leader Ongoing
Church to be cleaned after the session; ensure benches, high-risk surfaces and touch points have been wiped with appropriate sanitiser spray or disposable wipes.
Session leader or appointed volunteer will use disposable gloves and ensure that all handles, santisers, open benches etc are cleaned.
Session leader or appointed volunteer
Ongoing
Additional Controls for providing Refreshments after Sunday services
Refreshments may be served after a church service and consumed in the churchyard/marquee, subject to the controls below:
Before the first occasion when refreshments are provided, all kitchen areas, storage cupboards, mugs, crockery, and utensils and other related equipment must receive a thorough cleaning.
Doreen Clarke and SEARCH
Doreen Clarke dd/mm/yyyy
Refreshments (coffee, tea, squash and biscuits) will be prepared by a team of refreshment servers briefed in advance.
• All volunteers to have reviewed the Personal Risk Factors document before agreeing to volunteer.
• Volunteers to wear face masks throughout and wash/sanitise hands frequently throughout their duty.
• Those involved in serving refreshments to be prepared
Doreen Clarke and SEARCH
Ongoing
Page 13 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
beforehand, to work as a team to limit movement and cross-contact. Note that clergy and others packing away are also likely to be moving in the same area around the vestry/back door.
Before refreshments are served:
• Two tables outside at the east end of church: one to serve drinks from; another for the placing of empty/used mugs etc.
• Refreshments to be prepared in the kitchen area and carried by refreshment servers to table(s) outside the east end of church.
• Hand sanitiser to be freely available at the serving table.
• Those serving coffee to always wear masks and wash/sanitise their hands frequently during the preparation and serving, and always immediately after any ‘dirty’ contact.
• Biscuits may be served, but only if prepared in a Covid-secure way and individually wrapped at least 48 hours prior to being served.
Doreen Clarke and SEARCH
Ongoing
At the serving of refreshments
• Congregation to leave church via the main doors and walk round to the east end of the church.
• Congregation to queue socially distanced and move away from the table immediately they receive their drink.
• Volunteers serving prepare the drinks with the absolute minimum of contact with different surfaces.
• Congregation to be served their own drink, such that they (and only they) touch their mug.
Doreen Clarke and SEARCH
Ongoing
Washing up and clearing away.
• All items to be thoroughly washed, dried and stored away
• Clean tea towels every week
• Final cleaning of all sufaces, table tops, etc. using anti-bacterial spray.
• Volunteers to wash/sanitise hands before finally leaving.
Page 14 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
2. Cleaning of the Church
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
Cleaning the church before and after general use (no known exposure to anyone with Coronavirus symptoms) Advice on cleaning church buildings can be found here.
If the church building has been closed for 72 hours between periods of being open then there is no need for extra cleaning to remove the virus from surfaces.
N/A N/A N/A
If 72-hour closure is not possible then check all cleaners are not in a vulnerable group or self-isolating.
Cleaners will be the people opening the church and closing the church.
Set up a cleaning rota to cover your opening arrangements.
Weekly cleaning by an employed cleaner After service cleaning by sidesperson, verger or minister.
Lesley Nichol, church cleaner, sidesperson, verger, minister
Ongoing
All cleaners provided with gloves (ideally disposable).
Ensure adequate supply for church openers, closers and caretaker.
Supply Purchase: Parish Secretary
Ongoing role.
Suitable cleaning materials provided, depending on materials and if historic surfaces are to be cleaned.
No historic surfaces identified. Supply Purchase: Parish Secretary
Ongoing role.
Confirm person responsible for removing potentially contaminated waste (e.g. hand towels) from the site.
Church openers and closers. Wheelie bin by back door.
Deiniol Heywood 21.6.20
Page 15 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
Confirm the frequency for removing potentially contaminated waste (e.g. hand towels) from the site – suggested daily removal.
As required on opening of church. Deiniol Heywood 21.6.20
Cleaning the church after known exposure to someone with Coronavirus symptoms
If possible close the church building for 72 hours with no access permitted.
Ensure church is closed. Notices amended to say closed. Identify who is going to carry out deep clean. And check PHE advice.
Deiniol Heywood and Colin McBride
If 72-hour closure is not possible then follow Public Health England guidance on cleaning in non-healthcare settings.
Public Health England guidance available here.
Deiniol Heywood and Colin McBride
If the building has been quarantined for 72 hours, then carry out cleaning as per the normal advice on cleaning.
Advice on cleaning church buildings can be found here.
Deiniol Heywood and Colin McBride
Page 16 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
3. Use of Holy Trinity Church for Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
For Baptism services the ‘Additional Controls for Worship’ (above) apply, plus the following
In advance of the baptism, if the baptism occurs less than 72 hours after the last use of the building, then plan for additional cleaning of church (see ‘Cleaning the Church’ section).
Ensure all benches, seats, high-risk
surfaces and touchpoints were sanitised
after the last use: if in doubt, verger or
sidesperson to clean all benches and other
surfaces with appropriate sanitiser spray
or disposable wipes
Verger or Sidesperson Before the service
Maximum number of people attending the
baptism is dependent on seating people within
their social bubbles according to the seating
arrangements (see final page), or government
limits, whichever is the lower.
Ensure social distancing is maintained.
See also CofE advice on conducting
baptisms (17MAY21).
Minister conducting
the baptism
Before the
service
All those taking a formal role (especially organist, verger, etc.) to have worked through the Personal Risk Factors document before agreeing to take part in the service
Circulate the Personal risk factors document with every request for a role/volunteer
Minister conducting
the baptism
Before the
service
Single use Orders of service only, verger or
sidesperson to place them inside the main
entrance door
Each attendee picks up their own Order of
service on arrival
Verger or Sidesperson Before the
service
Page 17 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
Clergy to be mindful of their own personal
hygiene
Wash hands before and after service, face
coverings to be worn whenever physical
distancing cannot be maintained (e.g. at
the font)
Minister conducting
the baptism
If candidate is an infant, he/she is to be held by
parent or guardian for duration of the service,
including during the baptism itself
Minister conducting
the baptism
Before anointing forehead with oil and signing
with the Cross, minister to sanitise hands and
either use a suitable implement to apply the oil
or ask a parent to do this
Minister conducting
the baptism
A suitable implement such as a shell to be
used to pour water over the candidate’s
forehead at the baptism. Paper towels to be
used by the parents or guardian to wipe the
forehead afterwards and the used towel(s) to
be immediately disposed of
No-one else to sign themselves with
baptismal water or be sprinkled with it
Minister conducting
the baptism and verger
or sidesperson
A candle to be provided for the parent or
guardian to light from the paschal candle
Verger or sidesperson Before the
service
Page 18 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
Church to be cleaned after baptism. Ensure
benches, high-risk surfaces and touch points
have been wiped with appropriate sanitiser
spray or disposable wipes
Verger will use disposable gloves and
ensure that all handles, santisers, open
benches etc. are cleaned.
Verger Ongoing
For Weddings
and wedding
rehearsals, the
‘Additional
Controls for
Worship’
(above) apply,
plus the
following
In advance of the wedding and the rehearsal, if
it occurs less than 72 hours after the last use of
the building, then plan for additional cleaning
of church (see ‘Cleaning the Church’ section).
Ensure all benches, seats, high-risk
surfaces and touchpoints were sanitised
after the last use: if in doubt, verger or
sidesperson to clean all benches and other
surfaces with appropriate sanitiser spray
or disposable wipes
Verger At least 1 week
before wedding
rehearsal
All church staff/volunteers taking a role
(especially organist, verger, etc.) to have
worked through the Personal Risk Factors
document before agreeing to take part in the
funeral.
Circulate the Personal risk factors
document with every request for a
role/volunteer
Clergy Before the
wedding
Maximum number of people attending the
wedding is dependent on seating people
within their social bubbles according to the
seating arrangements (see final page), or
government limits, whichever is the lower. See
CofE guidance on conducting weddings
(17MAY21) section 1.
Anyone ‘working’ at the wedding is not
included as part of the limit on those
attending. However, the intention of the
guidance is to minimise the numbers at
weddings down to reduce risk while still
enabling them to go ahead.
Clergy, in conjunction
with bride/groom
As early as
possible before
the wedding
Page 19 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
All attending the wedding must wear a face
covering. Bride, groom and officiant are
exempt, as is anyone who shares in leading the
service.
Clergy, in conjunction
with bride/groom
Before the
wedding
Single use Orders of service only, verger to
place them inside the main entrance door
Each person picks up their own Order of
service on arrrival
Verger and ushers Agreed at
rehearsal
Clergy to maintain social distancing from bride
and groom as far as possible throughout the
service
• Avoid touching the couples’ hands
• Avoid touching the rings
Clergy Rehearsal
Additional arrangements to be made for the
signing of the register, so that witnesses can
sanitise hands before and after signing.
Arrange table and one-way system so
each signatory/witness signs and moves
away from the table
Verger, at the direction
of the clergy
Agreed at
rehearsal
Bride and groom leave church via the main
(entrance) door, everyone else leaves via the
back door
Verger and ushers Agreed at
rehearsal
Church to be cleaned after wedding. Ensure
benches, high-risk surfaces and touch points
have been wiped with appropriate sanitiser
spray or disposable wipes
Verger will use disposable gloves and
ensure that all handles, santisers, open
benches etc. are cleaned.
Verger Ongoing
Page 20 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
For Funeral
services the
‘Additional
Controls for
Worship’
(above) apply,
plus the
following
In advance of the funeral, if the funeral occurs
less than 72 hours after the last use of the
building, then plan for additional cleaning of
church (see ‘Cleaning the Church’ section).
Ensure all benches, seats, high-risk
surfaces and touchpoints were sanitised
after the last use: if in doubt, verger or
sidesperson to clean all benches and other
surfaces with appropriate sanitiser spray
or disposable wipes
Verger Approx. 1 week
before funeral
Maximum number of people attending the
baptism is dependent on seating people within
their social bubbles according to the seating
arrangements (see final page), or government
limits, whichever is the lower. See CofE
guidance on funerals in church (17MAY21)
Ensure social distancing is maintained. Minister conducting
the funeral, in
conjunction with family
of the deceased
Before the
funeral
All those taking a formal role (especially
organist, verger, etc.) to have worked through
the Personal Risk Factors document before
agreeing to take part in the funeral.
Circulate the Personal risk factors
document with every request for a
role/volunteer
Minister conducting
the funeral
Before the
funeral
Single use Orders of service only, verger to
place them inside the main entrance door
Each mourner picks up their own Order of
service on arrrival
Verger Before the
funeral
Bearing the coffin in and out of church. To further mitigate risk, the coffin may be
placed in church before the mourners
enter.
Minister, in
conjunction with family
and funeral director
Before the
funeral
Page 21 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
• While inside church, if coffin bearers are within 2m of mourners, face coverings are worn as mitigation.
Where committal takes place at the lychgate,
allow sufficient time and space for all
mourners to gather, whilst maintaining social
distance.
Potential mitigations to create sufficient
space around the lychgate:
• Park hearse further forward than
usual
Cordon off the disabled parking space
next to lychgate (and create additional
space further across)
Minister, in
conjunction with the
Funeral Director
Before the
funeral
Church to be cleaned after funeral. Ensure
benches, high-risk surfaces and touch points
have been wiped with appropriate sanitiser
spray or disposable wipes
Verger will use disposable gloves and
ensure that all handles, santisers, open
benches etc. are cleaned.
Verger Ongoing
For interments
and burials in
the churchyard
Maximum number of people attending the
interment or burial is governed by government
limits.
Ensure social distancing is maintained. Minister conducting
the funeral, in
conjunction with family
of the deceased
Before the
interment or
burial.
Social distancing of 1m+ mitigation, such as
facecoverings, or 2m
Minister At the interment
or burial
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4. Outdoor services in Holy Trinity Churchyard In addition to CofE guidance HSE guidance has been consulted alongside https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safer-public-places-urban-centres-and-green-
spaces-covid-19
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
For routine communal worship, held in the churchyard/ marquee, the ‘Additional Controls for Worship’ (above) apply, plus the following
Each household/bubble attending:
• sits socially distant from any other household/bubble
• brings their own seating/blankets. Young children should attend supervised by parent/ guardian. Advance notice of arrangements to be communicated via notices.
Over 60 household/bubbles can be safely accommodated in and around the marquee (placed beyond the east end of the church), typical congregations are very unlikely to exceed this level.
Clergy or wardens During the week prior to the service
Marquee sides to be taken down before congregation begins to arrive, to ensure maximum ventilation while providing protection from rain for the electrical PA equipment, ministers, vestments, wafers, etc.
Those involved should wash/sanitise hands before and after this work (including replacing sides afterwards) and must wear face coverings if close working (under 2m) is required.
Clergy or wardens in conjunction with able-bodied ‘set-up’ team
30 mins before service start
Sufficient sidespeople on duty to ensure each household arrives and is guided to a marker smoothly, without queues forming in the car park Suggest three: 1) at lych gate 2) at fork of path near bench 3) by war memorial.
Encourage people to arrive in plenty of time.
Ministry team, supplemented if necessary by others
30 mins before service start
One way system in operation: enter via lychgate only, leave by pathways towards annexe or overflow carpark. At the end of the service all paths may act as exit ways.
Additional signage required? Churchyard pathways to be kept clear (2m wide corridor), no sitting on the pathways.
30 mins before service start
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Names and contact number for each household/bubble to be collected on entry
Attendees outside will not book via Eventbrite. Attendees inside church will book via Eventbrite so will already be recorded.
Ministry team (using standard contact sheets)
At service start
From 29MAR21 congregational singing is permitted during worship outdoors in the churchyard, subject to maintaining social distancing.
Also, from 28MAR21 there are no restrictions on which instruments can be played. See RSCM guidance 26MAR21.
Rector and organist Planning before each service
Printed orders of service, if used, to be printed at least 48 hours in advance, stored untouched, placed for collection (not handed out) at the lychgate, by congregation members on arrival. Congregation take their OOS home after. Families attending with young children collect a Family Pack at the lychgate ( containing craft materials and resources for the service). These will have been prepared and placed into plastic zip lock bags 48 hours in advance. Each family writes their surname on their bag to ensure they use the same pack at the next service, and leave their pack at the lychgate on leaving.
Optional recycling box(es) may be placed at exits.
Clergy and parish secretary (printing), ministry team (distribution)
2+ days before service
If Holy Communion is to be distributed, clergy are to take communion (bread only) to the people, to minimise movement and mingling.
Presiding clergy Before service start
The disabled toilet (annexe) will be open and available for use. A notice will point this out and an announcement made.
Cleaning implication. Users will need to sanitise toilet before and after use.
Ministry team 30 mins before service start
Outdoor services will be live-streamed in order that those who feel vulnerable can still
Additional seating inside church will be available as for other services inside
Clergy to arrange Before service start
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follow the service and not feel pressured to attend.
church, the live-stream will be played in church.
Appropriate microphone stands to be used such that the microphones do not need to be touched during the service.
Alcohol-based wipes to be available in case of adjustment (e.g. speakers of different height)
Clergy Before service start
Before the service, careful allocation of any leadership roles (president, deacon, preacher, servers, readers, etc.) and briefing of the leaders before service starts to ensure any one-off circumstances are considered
Service leader (e.g. President for a service of Holy Communion)
Before service start
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5. Controls relating to non-worship activities in Church
Area of Focus Controls required Additional information Action by whom? Completed – date and name
Return of hirers to the church for non-worship activities
Hands to be sanitised upon entrance to the church
Hirer Before hire session commences
Outer doors to be left open to avoid multiple touching of door handles. Glass doors are pushed upon entry and where practical in warmer weather, should be left open. Back door to remain open during hire session and whilst setting up and clearing away.
See guidance in previous sections regarding maintaining heat and ventilation in cooler weather
Hirer Before hire session commences
Prevailing physical distancing guidance to be adhered to at all times by hirers and their clients.
Hirers Throughout hire session
All hirers will be required to undertake their own risk assessment before hiring the church to ensure prevailing government advice is adhered to with respect to their own activities. Lesley Nicholl to be given access to this.
Hirers Before hire session
Cleaning materials have been supplied should hirers wish to wipe down any surfaces, furniture, handles, switches etc before or after their hire session. If benches are used, they should be wiped down afterwards, using the anti-bacterial spray provided.
Ensure adequate supply of cleaning materials
Hirers. Supply purchase: Parish Secretary
Before and after hire session
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Hirers and their clients should come ready for their session and should only bring the minimum equipment required for the class.
Hirers Before hire session
Hands must be sanitised thoroughly before moving any benches. Any benches moved must be returned to their original positions (see last page).
Coloured masking tape has been put down under each leg of each bench to help with repositioning.
Hirers/Lesley Nicholl After hire session
All hirers are required to sign and return a copy of Special Terms & Conditions to Lesley Nicholl.
These Special Terms & Conditions are in addition to our usual Terms & Conditions of hire and outline the additional responsibilities and obligations required of hirers.
Hirers/Lesley Nicholl Before hire session
Hirers are asked to remind their clients not to enter the premises should they be feeling unwell.
‘Covid-safe’ posters to be displayed in all buildings
Hirers/Lesley Nicholl Ongoing
All hirers are required to sign the log-in sheet at the entrance to the church to assist with contact tracing in the event of an outbreak or a suspected case of coronavirus. The hirers’ clients are not required to sign this sheet on the condition that the hirer themselves is keeping accurate records of who is attending their class.
All hirers will also be required to contact Lesley Nicholl should they be notified by Track & Trace of having been in contact with someone with a suspected case of coronavirus. Hirers can also scan the QR code using the NHS Covid-19 app. This QR code is located at the entrance to the church.
Hirers/Lesley Nicholl Before hire session
Face coverings should be worn if prevailing government guidance dictates.
Hirers Ongoing
Government guidance around choirs, singing and small groups of musicians must be adhered to.
Hirers Ongoing
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6. Procedures Note the doors are referred to as follows:
• ‘Main entrance’ doors (two sets: outer wooden doors and inner glass doors)
• ‘Back’ door: the outside door by the toilet/flower sink
• ‘Vestry’ door: the internal door to the vestry
Daily Opening procedure: 1. Enter through back door. 2. Put on gloves (drawer by sink near cleaning cupboard). 3. Turn on lights – church on and the kitchen light. 4. Open all doors to ventilate church 5. Check levels of consumables:
Main entrance doors Back door Toilet Materials for staff Hand sanitiser Hand sanitiser Liquid soap Anti-bacterial cleaning spray Cleaning wipes Liquid soap Paper towels Blue cleaning paper Paper towels Gloves Replace/refill where necessary. Additional supplies in vestry. Contact Parish Secretary or clergy about any shortages or problems.
6. Check bins (entrance, back door and toilet) and empty when full/nearly full, place bin bags in Wheelie Bin and reline bins as required. On Sunday evening, wheelie bin to be put out onto road near cottage for bin men collection on Monday morning. Bin be put back in position once they have been.
7. Put out A-frame onto path, just before the path splits. 8. Main entrance doors: fix outer wooden doors open, glass inner doors to be left closed 9. Turn off kitchen light, leave via back door, drop the latch. 10. Dispose of gloves in wheelie bin
Closing procedure: 1. Put on gloves (drawer by sink near cleaning cupboard). 2. Take in A-frame. 3. Close main entrance outer wooden doors and lock inner glass doors.
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4. Turn off kitchen light and church light to exit. 5. Lock back door.
8am Worship Procedures: 1. Before Service open church following Opening Procedure. Church building to be ventilated for 15 minutes before the service. 2. Put out Orders of Service 3. Switch lights to “Nave Service” 4. Unlock vestry 5. Track & Trace sheet (may be brought by clergy) and pens out to record attendees 6. Wear facemask and maintain Social Distance whilst welcoming congregation and throughout worship
7. After service clean benches, doors, other surfaces following use in last 72 hours cleaning procedure, that is:
Use spray and blue paper towels to spray door furniture (back and inner and outer main doors), all seating benches, handwashing station, sanitising station (entrance), GoodBox.
8. Check levels of consumables: Main entrance doors Back door Toilet Materials for staff Hand sanitiser Hand sanitiser Liquid soap Anti-bacterial cleaning spray Cleaning wipes Liquid soap Paper towels Blue cleaning paper Paper towels Gloves Replace/refill where necessary. Additional supplies in vestry. Contact Parish Secretary or clergy about any shortages or problems.
9. Check bins (entrance, back door and toilet) and empty when full/nearly full, place bin bags in Wheelie Bin and reline bins as required. 10. Put away Orders of Service 11. Switch lights to “Church On” 12. Place name sheet in vestry or church office ‘Test and Trace’ folder. 13. Lock vestry 14. Dispose of gloves.
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7. Items for Reviews Review: 1. Changes to government guidance on singing indoors.
Page 30 of 30 Version 22 – issued 9th June 2021
Sketch map of the Covid-secure seating: 15 benches, 10 single seats, bench for sidesperson, seats for laptop operator and organist