Updated Health and Safety Guidance
The Diocese of Oregon gives individual congregations more flexibility.
In a letter to the diocese, Bishop Akiyama outlines factors congregations can consider when updating protocols.
Dear Friends in Christ,
This Saturday, Governor Kate Brown will lift the mask mandate for the state of Oregon. This comes after cases and hospitalizations in the state of Oregon have dramatically decreased from the winter’s Omicron spike.
In the Diocese of Oregon, we will no longer have diocesan-wide protocols and will instead provide a list of factors congregations can take into consideration when making decisions for their communities and contexts.
Congregations can decide to continue requiring masks if they would like. However, if a congregation continues to require masks, it is important to stay consistent with these practices. A requirement to wear masks and maintain a safe distance during worship should extend to coffee hour and related events.
Congregations should return to the use of the common cup and end the practice of individual cups. It is up to each person to decide if they feel comfortable drinking from the cup. If they do not, or if they have cold/flu-like symptoms, they should be reminded that receiving Communion in one kind is still considered receiving full Communion.
It will be up to each individual to assess their own risk of infection regarding COVID-19, and to protect themselves accordingly. Some individuals may choose to remain masked, either for health, personal, or other reasons. These individuals should be encouraged to do so, and churches should continue to have masks available.
Please note that federal mandates still require masks on public transportation, in airports, and in health care facilities.
Blessings,
—Bishop Akiyama
Factors to Consider
- Vaccinations help to protect everyone. Vaccinations and boosters provide an extra and important layer of protection against severe illness or hospitalizations due to COVID-19.
- Masks are still the best way to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Wearing a well-fitted hospital-grade mask covering one’s mouth and nose continues to be the most effective way to reduce the spread of respiratory droplets and aerosols that may carry the COVID-19 virus. Unvaccinated, immunocompromised, and those with cold/flu-like symptoms should consider remaining masked.
- The risk of exposure and infection increases as the number of people gathered in a room increases and the reduction of preventative measures decreases. Singing unmasked increases the number of respiratory droplets expelled into the air and therefore increases the risk.
- Enhanced ventilation indoors helps reduce the risk of spreading aerosols. Opening windows and doors, or setting up a fan, to allow ventilation in a space will greatly reduce the transmission of respiratory droplets.
- Sanitizing and handwashing are good hygienic practices. Although it has been proven that COVID-19 does not easily transfer on surfaces, regular sanitation of highly trafficked and touched areas is a great practice to continue, particularly in food preparation and areas used by children. Washing your hands regularly with soap and water is also just a good basic hygienic practice.
- Consider continuing to livestream your worship. Sharing your worship allows for folks who are uncomfortable meeting in person or who wish to remain at home to participate in the life of the church.