NORTH SHORE CHINESE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Facility Usage Policy during Restore Illinois/COVID-19 Pandemic
(Version 4.9)
Operating under Bridge Phase (see Section 5) as of: January 30, 2022

1. Purpose and Scope

This Facility Usage Policy defines the usage of the NSCCC facility during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The listed phases are not directly linked to Phases 1-5 or the Bridge Phase of Restore Illinois.

NSCCC shall move to a different phase or return to the standard facility usage policy after deacon board approval.

Although we are eager to meet together in-person, we believe that our continuing on-line worship, fellowship, Bible study, prayer, and meetings suffice to encourage each other until local, state, national, and international medical experts determine protocols for safer in-person meetings in light of coronavirus. (See Heb. 10:25.) Our church is highly aware of the risk of this pandemic to ourselves, our immediate family members, and our extended family members not only in the United States but also abroad. Thus, NSCCC will take a cautious approach to resuming in-person meetings with the understanding that our
attendees will also be careful for their own health and the health of fellow church attendees.

This document may be updated as changes are announced.

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2. Definitions

NSCCC Facility: The North Shore Chinese Christian Church facility located at 1250  Waukegan Rd, Deerfield, IL, including the building and grounds.

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Restore Illinois: The Illinois government’s approach to recovery from the COVID-19  pandemic. The plan and phase definitions can be viewed at: https://www.dph.illinois.gov/restore.

  

Degrees of Exposure are as follows: 

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• An individual that is COVID-19 positive is 0th degree.  

• An individual that has been in close contact with a COVID-19 positive person is 1st degree. 

• An individual that has been in close contact with a 1st degree person is 2nd degree. 

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Close Contact: Being within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative 15 minutes or more over a  24 hour period. Non-professional use of PPE does not supersede these limits.

3. Phase 1 - 3

3.1 Phase 1 and 2 Facility Usage 

      3.1.1 Only NSCCC staff and persons providing an agreed upon service (such as cleaning or yard maintenance) may 

                access the facility. 

      3.1.2 All persons entering the facility should sign into the logbook or digital form.

 

3.2 Phase 1 and 2 Preventative Measures 

      3.2.1 Social distance of at least 6ft should be observed.

      3.2.2 Facemasks must be worn indoors in all common areas (not a private office).  Facemasks must be worn outdoors 

                when distancing is not possible. When available, facemasks will be provided. 

      3.2.3 When available, hand sanitizer will be provided. 

      3.2.4 Facility will be cleaned weekly, with a focus on areas the staff use. 

      3.2.5 Individuals that have had exposure (0th, 1st, or 2nd) to coronavirus may not enter  the facility for: 

                • If asymptomatic, 14 days after exposure, regardless of test results 

                • If symptomatic, 14 days after cessation of symptoms  

 

3.3 Phase 3 Facility Usage 

      3.3.1 Maximum group size within the NSCCC facility is 10 people. Ministry  Committees will need to coordinate staggering

                of schedules. 

      3.3.2 Only the Sanctuary is open for group use. 

      3.3.3 Persons showing any symptoms of COVID-19 may be asked to leave the facility. 

      3.3.4 Persons that are high risk (elderly or with underlying health conditions) are discouraged from using the facility. 

      3.3.5 All persons entering the facility should sign into the logbook. 

 

3.4 Phase 3 Preventative Measures 

      3.4.1 Social distance of at least 6ft should be observed. 

      3.4.2 Facemasks must be worn indoors in all common areas (not a private office nor the Sanctuary riser/stage).

                Facemasks must be worn outdoors when distancing is not possible. When available, facemasks will be provided. 

      3.4.3 When available, hand sanitizer and surface wipes will be provided. 

      3.4.4 Facility will be cleaned weekly, with a focus on areas that have been occupied. 

      3.4.5 Individuals that have had exposure (0th, 1st, or 2nd) to coronavirus may not enter the facility for: 

                • If asymptomatic, 14 days after exposure, regardless of test results 

                • If symptomatic, 14 days after cessation of symptoms 

4. Phase 4

4.1 Facility Usage 

      4.1.1 Maximum headcount at the facility, including outdoor events, is 50 people. Ministry Committees will need to

                coordinate staggering of schedules.  

                  • Events with the possibility to overlap will be added one at a time to allow for evaluation of attendance and impact

                      on other events. 

                  • The NSCCC Program Calendar will be used to track events at the facility. 

      4.1.2 Only the Sanctuary, MPR, and Fellowship Hall/Lower Lobby are open for indoor group use. Classrooms and 

                conference rooms are closed. 

      4.1.3 Lingering in the Upper Lobby is discouraged.

      4.1.4 Persons showing any symptoms of COVID-19 may be asked to leave the facility. It is the responsibility of the

                attendee to determine if they have COVID-19  symptoms prior to entry into the facility. The CDC list of symptoms   

                can be viewed at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html 

      4.1.5 Persons that are high risk (elderly or with underlying health conditions) are discouraged from using the facility. 

      4.1.6 All persons entering the facility shall sign into the physical logbook or digital form. For facility usage by larger 

               groups, a recorded list of attendees may replace individual logbook sign in. 

      4.1.7 Additional exits may be open to help regulate flow of foot traffic.

      4.1.8 Restroom use is limited to one person or family at a time. 

 

4.2 Preventative Measures 

      4.2.1 Social distance of at least 6ft should be observed. 

      4.2.2 Facemasks must be worn indoors by able persons over 2 years old while in common areas. (lobby, hallways,

                sanctuary pews, MPR, fellowship hall/lower lobby, restrooms). Facemasks must be worn outdoors when social

                distance cannot be observed. When available, facemasks will be provided. Facemasks may be removed during

                eating or drinking. 

      4.2.3 When available, hand sanitizer and surface wipes will be provided. 

      4.2.4 Facility will be cleaned weekly, with a focus on areas that have been occupied. 

      4.2.5 Individuals that have had 0th or 1st degree exposure to coronavirus may not enter the facility for: 

                • If asymptomatic, 14 days after exposure, regardless of test results

                • If symptomatic, 14 days after cessation of symptoms  

      4.2.6 Individuals that have 2nd degree exposure to coronavirus are discouraged from entering the facility for 14 days,

                regardless of test results. 

 

4.3 Sanctuary Usage 

      4.3.1 Pews will be marked to indicate staggered seating with at least 6ft separation.  Members of the same household

                may sit together. 

      4.3.2 Bibles, hymnals, and pens will be removed from pews. Relevant information will need to be available online or in a

                handout. 

      4.3.3 Facemasks must be worn by congregants in the pews when speaking or singing. Congregants on the stage/riser

                may remove their mask to speak/sing. 

      4.3.4 Weather permitting, windows and fans will be used to ventilate the sanctuary in between group use. 

      4.3.5 Additional safety measures may be enacted by a relevant Ministry Committee, such as how to handle the offering

                and communion. 

 

4.4 MPR Usage 

      4.4.1 MPR use for non-sport purposes will follow 4.2, Preventative Measures.

      4.4.2 Food and drink in the MPR are subject to approval by the Trustee and relevant  Ministry Committee Chairperson. 

      4.4.3 MPR use for sport purposes is prohibited. 

 

4.5 Fellowship Hall/Lower Lobby Usage 

      4.5.1 FH&LL use for non-sport purposes will follow 4.2, Preventative Measures. 

      4.5.2 Food and drink in the FH&LL are subject to approval by the Trustee and relevant  Ministry Committee Chairperson. 

      4.5.3 FH&LL use for sport purposes is prohibited.

 

5. Bridge Phase

5.1 Facility Usage
     

     5.1.2 Subject to approval, all areas of the facility are open for group use.
     5.1.3 Persons showing any symptoms of COVID-19 may be asked to leave the facility. It is the responsibility of the

               attendee to determine if they have COVID-19 symptoms prior to entry into the facility. The CDC list of symptoms can 

               be viewed at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
     5.1.4 Ministry/event leadership is responsible for estimation of attendance and ensuring the headcount limit is not

               exceeded.

5.2 Preventative Measures
     5.2.1 Wearing facemasks inside the facility is optional. When possible, masks will be provided.
     5.2.2 When available, hand sanitizer and surface wipes will be provided.
     5.2.3 Facility will be cleaned weekly, with a focus on areas that have been occupied.
     5.2.4 Individuals that have had 0th or 1st-degree exposure to coronavirus may not enter the facility for:
              ● If asymptomatic, 10 days after exposure, regardless of vaccination results
              ● If symptomatic, 10 days after cessation of symptoms

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6. Miscellaneous

While this document establishes regulations and guidelines during the COVID-19  pandemic, it is ultimately up to each individual to evaluate their risk prior to attending a NSCCC function.

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