(March 23 / 2021)
COVID – 19 Update: A new permission granted by the PHO on her most recent order. Outdoor, in-person gatherings are permitted. The order says 10. However, the Public Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, has granted the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, British Columbia Conference, a condition of variance letter, where she is allowing a maximum of 50 people. Her letter does have a few conditions that need to be met in order to be in compliance with this allowed permission. I have attached the letter above, but here is a quick bullet point of these conditions:
Capacity and restrictions
- Max of 50 people and services are to be held outdoors
- Due to high risk of COVID-19 infection, the following people should NOT attend in-person gatherings;
- Over the age of 70 (even if immunized)
- People living with a COVID-19 infected person, upper respiratory or flu-like symptoms
- People with underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems
D. “Regarding indoor meetings, we are following the recommended maximum of 10, so long as all present members are participating crew ( ie. media), with a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place.”
Conduct during service
- Masks mandatory, unless speaking but should be 3 meters apart from other participants, or have physical barriers present
- Maintain physical distancing (2 M) from others, unless you are from the same household
- Service cannot be more than 1 hour
- No social gathering before or after the service
- No collection bag or plate can be passed, or any ceremonial object
- No singing or chanting
- No loitering after service, specially if another group is arriving for a second meeting
Prior to attending service
- Organizer must pre-register participants (to ensure maximum number is not exceeded)
- First and last name, along with phone or e-mail must be collected of every participant attending
- Personal information must be retained for 30 days, after which it must be destroyed. Do not keep a copy
Below is the PDF link of the PHO order, as found on the government website.
For further questions contact Tanya Avelar -Martinez at tavelarmartinez@bcadventist.ca
Thank you
