CARIBBEAN HINDU CULTURAL SOCIETY

Covid-19: CHCS re-opening policy 25th July 2020

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Introduction:

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This policy sets out guidance for the safe re-opening of CHCS for services from 25th July 2020.

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The Managing Trustees will seek to ensure the health and safety of everyone. As such, a COVID-19 risk assessment will be reviewed regularly.

Whilst the presence of ALL devotees in the Temple would be most welcome and highly appreciated, we would urge you NOT to attend if any of the following applies:

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(1) You are experiencing any one or more of the classified Covid-19 symptoms

(2) You have been in contact with anyone confirmed with the Covid-19 infection, in the previous 2 weeks.

(3) Your medical condition puts you in the “high risk” category of contracting Covid-19 infection.

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Please be aware that individuals aged 70 years and over may be at increased risk of Covid-19, regardless of medical condition.

If you fall within any of these categories you are advised to STAY AT HOME and if possible, access the services through Zoom or Facebook.

 

Pre-registration Requirement (if possible)           

A total of 25 persons can be accommodated. It would be extremely helpful if you could send an e-mail to the temple (om@chcstemple.org) at least one week prior, confirming the names of those attending a service to ensure a safe number in the building. Children must be supervised at all times by the accompanying adult. A family from the same household may form their own “bubble”.

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For those devotees attending the Temple, the following measures must be observed to minimise the spread of transmission:

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(1) On entering the building:

• A face mask must be worn covering the mouth and nose

• You will be asked to sign an attendance register giving full name, telephone number, signature and date of attendance if you agree to support the NHS Test and Trace programme.

• use hand sanitiser provided or wash hands for 20 seconds and thoroughly dry them, using the electric blow dryer in the disabled toilet (and after each visit to the toilet). Children must be supervised by the accompanying adult.

(2) Toilet facilities will be restricted to the disabled toilet only.

(3) All services will be restricted to the main hall with adequate ventilation, i.e. open doors to allow fresh air into the main hall. Air conditioning fans are not allowed.

(4) Social distancing will be maintained at 2 metres. Chairs will be arranged to ensure a safe number of devotees for the size of the hall, (maximum 25 including the priest) Devotees should be seated rather than standing which reduces the risk of contact.

(5) The premises will be vacated as soon as possible, after completion of the service.

(6) Not more than 2 people to be in the kitchen at any one time. Mask and gloves must be worn if preparing prasad. There will be NO food preparation.

(7) Cash donations will be collected in one thali and handled by one person.

 

Singing, chanting and the use of musical instruments:
 

• Consider using recordings to live singing where music is necessary in worship. This is because of the potential for increased risk of transmission from aerosol and droplets.

• one individual only should be permitted to sing or chant.

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PRIESTS OF THE TEMPLE WILL BE ASKED TO GIVE WRITTEN DETAILS OF HOW THEY WILL ADAPT RELIGIOUS SERVICES THAT TAKE PLACE OVERNIGHT, TO ENSURE SAFETY OF THOSE PRESENT AND MINIMISE SPREAD OF TRANSMISSION.

These will be added to the advertisement for the service and posted on our website and Facebook.

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The priest conducting any service will also be responsible for ensuring:

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(1) Prasad and panchamrit are served and received in a safe manner.

(2) During pooja, restrict handling/passing of offerings to devotee (shrota) and Deity.

(3) Modify the ritual and preparation of the bedi (restrict items and movements of people during the service)

(4) Conclude the service in the shortest reasonable time.

 

This policy will be reviewed as and when new guidelines are issued by the Government.

 

Hari Om.

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The Managing Trustees.