COVID Policy
UU Society of Amherst Covid-19 Building Use Policy
Revised November 2, 2023
This policy is based on the following principles outlined by the UUA:
As a faith community, we root our decisions in the values of inclusion and consent.
- We follow the science.
- We will go slow and be flexible.
- We remain humane and realistic with expectations of ourselves and others.
Since the previous COVIDActNow policy was based on widespread reporting, our new policy will depend on more up-to-date tracking of wastewater using BioBot Analytics COVID-19 website. If wastewater tests remain below 1000 copies/mL in Hampshire County, the UUSA will remain in Low or Green risk level. Increased risk will prompt immediate implementation of more stringent limits.
We will balance the need to be together and see each other with the need to take care of one another.
Low Risk: Mask Optional (wastewater tests < 1000 copies/ml)
| The area in the balcony near the windows will be designated as masks required. The rest of the sanctuary will be mask optional. Anyone with signs of illness or who has been recently exposed to COVID should refrain from attending service in person. Use air purifiers (set on Turbo), open windows (when weather allows). |
Medium Risk: Mask Required (1000-2499 copies/ml)
| Require mask use and ventilation. Check in with participants for their needs. Would they be more comfortable online or outdoors? What do they need from the group to be present? |
High Risk: Move Programs Out of Building (>2500 copies/ml)
| Move programming online, outdoors or postpone. Move eating and drinking outdoors. |
If the local wastewater tests exceed 2000 copies/ml and are moving upward, a special meeting of the Board of Trustees will be called to decide upon appropriate action.
For all risk levels
| Always |
| Expect vaccination of all who are eligible. Provide high-quality mask. Require up to date vaccination for staff and anyone who works with children. Offer meaningful engagement online for those who cannot attend in person |
| Do not come inside the building or to other programming, if you; |
|---|
| ● Are exhibiting possible Covid-19 symptoms (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea). ● Have tested positive for Covid-19 or within 10 days of testing positive. ● Have a member of your household who is exhibiting possible symptoms, awaiting the results of a test (due to symptoms or being in close contact with a person with Covid-19), or has tested positive in the last 10 days. |
| If you test positive for Covid-19 |
| Please let us know! We will notify those who were present at programming with you without sharing your name. Notify your close contacts directly (small groups, committees you met in person, people you sat next to or had a long conversation with, etc.). Please stay home until your symptoms have stopped AND you test negative with an antigen test for at least 10 days. |
| Vaccination Policy |
| We expect that all eligible persons are vaccinated as eligible. Covid-19 Vaccinations are required for: ● All staff ● Anyone who will be working with children or youth Vaccination status will be verified for anyone working with children by showing a Covid-19 Vaccination Card to a member of the staff. It is expected that all eligible persons are vaccinated. |
| Building use by outside parties |
| These policies shall be provided to all rentals and other outside building users, but non-UUSA organizations may have their own policies to which their membership will be expected to complyRenters and UUSA may cancel a rental reservation without sacrifice of deposit due to change in covid risk levels. Renters must make masks and hand sanitizer available to all who enter the building |
This policy shall be reviewed and amended as needed.