Church Council approved this policy at our regular monthly meeting Dec. 14, 2021
The purpose of this policy is to outline expectations with regard to prevention of the spread and health consequences of COVID-19 infection and applies to employees, contractors, volunteers, congregational members and visitors (subsequently termed ‘eligible individuals’) when physically present in Mount Olive Lutheran Church or when carrying out activities within the community on behalf of the church.
Unless medically contraindicated, it is the expectation that all eligible individuals are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (i.e. against infections caused by SARS-CoV-2), regardless of how often or how much time is spent in the Church or on its ministry in the community.
This policy strives to align with the Hospital and Community (Health Care and other Services) COVID-19 Vaccination Status Information and Preventive Measures Statement of October 21, 2021 of the Provincial Health Officer (Pursuant to Sections 30, 31, 32, 39 (3), 54, 56, 57, 67 (2) and 69 Public Health Act, S.B.C. 2008). This policy is applied in accordance with the British Columbia Human Rights Code and any other applicable legislation.
Mount Olive Lutheran Church requires regular Panbio Covid 19 rapid testing in addition to other regular screening of symptoms such as temperature checks of eligible individuals effective December 1, 2021, with exemptions provided for those who are fully vaccinated against Covid 19. Such test results shall be not more than 3 days old. Eligible individuals who are not fully vaccinated must have a negative Covid 19 test result before being allowed access to the Church.
All eligible individuals will be required to provide proof of one of the following:
1. Negative Panbio Covid 19 Rapid test within the timeframe allowed as per this policy.
2. Proof of COVID-19 vaccine administration as per the following requirements:
a. Proof of all required doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada or
b. If the individual has received only the first dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccination series approved by Health Canada, proof that the first dose was administered and, as soon as reasonably possible, proof of administration of the second dose.
3. Written proof of a medical reason provided by either a physician or nurse practitioner that sets out:
a. That the person cannot be vaccinated against COVID-19; and
b. The effective time period for the medical reason (i.e., permanent or time-limited)
c. Negative Rapid Covid test (other than the Panbio test referenced in Section 1) within the timeframe allowed as per this policy
Eligible individuals who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons (as per 3 above) or who cannot provide a negative rapid Covid 19 test within the timeframe allowed in this policy , will be subject to additional requirements such as, redeployment, personal and public health protective measures, work exclusion/leave of absence, termination, or further measures that may be deemed necessary based on the assessment by Mount Olive Lutheran Church of factors including for example, the work/role of the individual, the type of workplace, local epidemiology, etc., and in consideration of the duty to accommodate, as applicable.
This policy may change as the status of the pandemic changes and/or legislation or public health advice changes.
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