There are now over 50 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in our community and one death. This has lead to some confusion among our congregants on what the current policy is. In ongoing discussions with medical experts and Rabbis, we present the updated policy below.
Safety Protocol
- Masks are required in our shul at all times except when eating. If you do eat in the shul, you must ensure you are maintaining social distancing policy of 6 feet between yourself and others.
- In general, everyone should seat themselves as to allow for social distancing between themselves and others.
- From a medical standpoint, it is unknown how long antibodies last, and what protection it offers people in getting the virus a second time.
- Everyone deserves to feel safe in our shul. Even if you had the virus and had antibodies, when you aren't masked, it makes others uncomfortable because they don't know that you had it. A congregant recently stood up and said "if you wear a mask to walk into 7-11 to make others feel safe, why not do the same in shul for our fellow community members?"
Who May Attend
- Attendees may be, on weekdays, any person aged up to 65 and in good health. Congregants 65 or older, or over 50 with medical issues is advised to stay home.
- On Shabbat, children under 13 years old are not allowed to attend due to space limitations.
- If you feel sick with anything, (sneezing, runny nose, cough, fever, aches, loose bowel, loss of sense of smell, etc.) you SHOULD NOT attend our shul and are strongly advised to get tested.
- Anyone exposed to an individual who has active COVID disease must be quarantined for 12-14 days from the TIME OF LAST EXPOSURE to that individual.
- During the mandatory quarantine period, the exposed person may not attend synagogue services so as not to risk further spread of the virus.
- If the infected individual lives in the household and there is ongoing contact and exposure, the exposed person must remain quarantined for 12-14 days from the time when the infected individual is no longer contagious.
- The earliest this can be is 7 days after the onset of symptoms, plus 3 days after symptoms have resolved.
- TESTING FOR COVID DOES NOT AFFECT THE MANDATE TO QUARANTINE. (The COVID test will generally remain negative until approximately one day before symptoms begin, which may be 12-14 days after exposure.) This means, if you have someone in your home that is positive, but you test negative, YOU STILL MAY NOT ATTEND and should remain in quarantine.
If Someone Tests Positive h"v
If Has Veshalom someone tests positive for the virus, please contact the shul immediately as we will do our utmost to contact all of those that were in contact with the infected person (contact tracing.) It is vital that the positive test result isn't kept secret as this could potentially lead to others being exposed h"v.
Together, we will continue to have a safe and amazing summer!