small gatherings in homes COVID Guidelines

Last updated on Saturday 2 January 2021.

We want church to be a safe place for everyone. This means things 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, and help each other connect Jesus to every moment of every day.

General guidelines

- Small gatherings in homes may include mid-week Gospel Community, lunch, or other church activity (e.g. Session or COM meeting, church training)

- There is currently no daily limit to visitors to a home, so long as you don’t have more than 20 visitors at any one time. The total number of 20 visitors includes all adults, children and babies. However, in line with NSW Chief Health Officer’s advice, we strongly recommend having no more than 10 visitors at a time in a home.

- Do not host or attend a gathering in a home if you or someone in your household is feeling unwell or has any flu-like symptoms. If you develop symptoms or start feeling sick while at a church gathering go home immediately. Please ask for assistance if you need help to get home safely. 

- Do not host or attend a gathering in a home 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 host or attend a gathering in a home if you or someone in your household has been in close contact with a case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.

- If you are a vulnerable person with higher risk of infection, we strongly encourage you to stay at home at this time.

- In line with the advice from NSW Health, we encourage you to wear a face mask.

If you are hosting a small gathering in your home,  

- Clean and disinfect all high-touch surfaces such as tables, door handles, door frames, bathroom door handles, taps, armchairs, light switches, TV remote, kettle before and after each gathering with disinfectant wipes.

- Provide disinfectant wipes and a bin ready for guests to clean the bathroom surface areas after each use (flush, disinfect the door and tap handle). 

- Provide hand sanitiser at entry, and soap for hand wash in bathroom, kitchen, and other high-use areas.

- Consider marking off areas you do not wish your guests to enter and packing away unnecessary items (e.g. toys). This will reduce the areas that need to be disinfected.

- Food and drinks are to be distributed by the host or an individual server, 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.

If you are attending a small gathering in someone else’s home, 

- Avoid touching door handles/doorbell (call the host to let them know you’ve arrived)

- Upon arrival, wash your hands your hands with soap and water, or an alcohol based hand sanitiser for at least 20 seconds upon arrival and before leaving.

- Keep your hands and personal belongings to yourself at all times. Bring your own drink bottles.

- Choose one person to serve food and drinks wearing disposable gloves, face mask, and using tongs.

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

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.