Updated August 2, 2022

Cedars Safe Gatherings

Because we are responsible citizens and follow the science, we are adapting to CDC and  Washington State Health Recommendations. Individual and community safety continue to be a priority. We should feel confident that we can safely gather as a community under the following guidelines.

COVID-19 transmission rates are constantly changing. Fortunately, the CDC provides data on a number of factors to assess community risk level, including number of cases, hospital admissions, and percent vaccinated. You can see the Kitsap County data reports on the following Websites:

CDC.GOV

COVID-ACTNOW

Below is a recommended indoor/in-person rating system with specific tasks for implementing and adjusting to the pandemic. This plan directs what we’ll do for each rating zone to keep people safe and let them know what to expect. Going forward, the Cedars Board will make the rating call based on local tracking indicators of infection (county & state public health, plus UUA guidelines), and will notify any/all involved with Sunday Services (Staff, Worship, Setup, Music, Faith Formation, Tech Team) and/or all Committee activities at Cedars Center or other locations.

The Cedars Board of Trustees has decided to no longer require vaccinations at gatherings, though we do ask that all unvaccinated individuals wear masks and maintain appropriate physical distancing at all times. Community vaccination rates in Kitsap County are now at 80% and we know that a few people at Cedars have not been able to obtain vaccines. Our gathering precautions are designed to ensure that all people may gather safely. 

Previous COVID Safety Guidelines No Longer in Effect

Cedars Safe Gatherings

Because we are responsible citizens and follow the science, we are ready as a community to begin to apply the safe behavior we practice in other parts of our lives to our spiritual home, too. We should feel confident that we can safely gather as a community if we:

• Wear a mask.
• Vaccinate.
• Physically distance if indoors.
• Don’t go near others if sick, exposed to COVID, tested positive for COVID.

The following is the recommendation from the Cedars Board of Trustees for responsible behavior at all of our in-person meetings and gatherings.

CEDARS UU CHURCH SAFE GATHERINGS RULES

The Island School & Webster Hall:

1. Wear a mask.
2. If indoors, all attendees are vaccinated; if an attendee is medically exempt from vaccination, meeting organizer should consider an option for them to attend (Zoom, live stream, outdoor space).
3. Physically distance if meeting indoors; 6ft for UUA standard and 3ft for school.
4. Complete a safety/health questionnaire for each attendee (we already use the form at Cedars Center); attendees must consent to attend the meeting. (COVID Safety Form)
5. Ventilate the room; be reasonable – the CDC says a small breeze can do the trick.
6. Be respectful of other’s personal space; COVID has changed some individual’s comfort level of how close to stand to them.
7. Throw out all trash from kitchen, Webster Hall, restrooms, hallways; put in dumpster outside.

Cedars Center Meeting Space

1. Room must be reserved using the Reservation Form and submitted to office admin.
2. All guests must be fully vaccinated and wear a mask.
3. Have an inclusive option for those unable or uncomfortable being in the same room with others; if an attendee is medically exempt from vaccination, meeting organizer should consider an option for them to attend (Zoom, hold meeting outdoors on patio if weather permits).
4. Complete safety/health questionnaire for each attendee (kept on stool in foyer).
5. Ventilate the room by opening a few windows; also run the air purifier on speed 3 during the meeting.
6. Limited number of physically distanced seats available; a maximum of 10 guests allowed.
7. Please clean all surfaces and throw out meeting-room trash after meeting.

Home-hosted Meetings

1. Verify vax status the days prior to gathering.
2. Wear a mask.
3. Vaccinated for indoor meetings; if an attendee is medically exempt from vaccination, meeting organizer should consider an option for them to attend (Zoom in, outdoor space).

3. Physical distance.
4. Complete safety/health questions; send to office administrator for filing (in case of tracing).
5. Ventilate room.
6. Limit number of attendees.