Places of Worship
- Consider both limiting seating to alternate rows and assigning seating in advance.
- Shorten services to limit the length of time congregants/visitors spend at facilities whenever possible.
- Consider scheduling additional times for services or meetings (per day or per week) so fewer guests attend at one time.
- Consider using ushers to help people find places to sit and stand that are at least 6 feet apart from other guests/household groups. Develop and communicate a plan to welcome and dismiss congregants/visitors from seating areas, altars, podiums and meeting rooms in an orderly way to maintain physical distancing and minimize crossflow of traffic.
- Avoid assembly line-type greetings at the beginning or conclusion of services. Ask congregants/visitors to arrive and leave in a single household group to minimize crossflow of people.
- Limit touching for religious purposes, such as shaking hands or holding hands, to members of the same household.
- Take steps to ensure limited attendance at gatherings that encourage congregants/visitors to travel and break physical distances, such as concerts and large holiday and life event celebrations and remembrances. Discontinue these activities whenever possible.
- Children should remain in the care of those in their household unit and not interact with children of other parties at any time while visiting facilities. Close play areas and discontinue activities and services for children where physical distancing of at least 6 feet cannot be maintained.
