food preparation and handling COVID Guidelines

Last updated on Saturday 2 January 2021.

We want church to be a safe place for everyone. This means church will look and feel a little different compared to what it was like before COVID. We recognise some of us are feeling anxious and stressed by everything that is going on. Others are not so fussed about it. Let’s make every effort to show kindness to one another, be empathetic to each others’ feelings, and be gentle with those who may respond differently from us. Also, as we gather and share in fellowship together, let’s remember our purpose remains the same: to serve one another through extravagant hospitality and sacrificial generousity, in the same way God has been so generous and welcomed us into his family.

General guidelines

- We will not be serving morning tea on Sundays at this time. We encourage everyone to bring their own coffee for morning tea and to continue fellowship after Sunday services in one of the local cafes, parks or in smaller gatherings at home.

- The Lord’s Supper will be served using pre-filled single-use cups with wafers. One of the elders will be responsible for serving the Lord’s Supper. He will be wearing a face mask and disposable gloves. 

- There may be other church activities (e.g. Gospel Community Dinners, Church Lunch) that will involve food preparation and handling. Please see guidelines and checklist below.

- Do not prepare or handle food and drinks if you or someone in your household is feeling unwell or has any flu-like symptoms.

- Do not prepare or handle food and drinks if you or someone in your household has returned from overseas or one of the COVID-19 case locations identified by NSW Health in the last 14 days, even if you are asymptomatic.

- Do not prepare or handle food and drinks if you or someone in your household has been in close contact with a case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.

- In line with the advice from NSW Health, it is mandatory to wear a mask while preparing or handling food and drinks.

- Wash your hands your hands with soap and water, or an alcohol based hand sanitiser for at least 20 seconds before preparing or handling food and drinks.

- To minimise contact, use disposable gloves and tongs when serving food and drinks.

- Where reasonably practical, ensure a distance of 1.5m apart from others at all times. Household groups and children are exempt.

- Parents should provide their children with their own drinks and snacks. Avoid sharing food with other children.

Checklist 

- Clean and disinfect all food preparation and serving surfaces, and other high-touch surfaces before and after use with disinfectant wipes.

- Food and drinks are to be distributed by individual servers, wearing disposable gloves, face masks, and using tongs. People are not to serve themselves and should avoid common handling of utensils, serving plates, hot water urn, water dispenser, milk, sugar, jugs, etc. 

- To minimise contact, use disposable cups, plates, utensils, etc.

- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing (or cough into your elbow).

- Where reasonably practical, encourage everyone to remain seated to avoid mingling.

These guidelines will be updated regularly as government restrictions change. This should be read in conjunction with government and denominational guidelines. 

Thank you for helping us make church a safe place for everyone.

For more information on food safety, visit Food Standards Australia