COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS

Denver South is beginning the careful process of working towards having services at Denver South Church. We have a committee committed to making sure we take all the proper steps and precautions to make sure everyone can safely attend and worship. We have a few phases that we will be going through. Our first phase of re-opening is a drive in service. We will continue to update this page and keep you updated through our newsletter, The Denver South Happenings. Below are the guidelines for attending our various programs. Thank you for caring about everyone in our community and our world!

Drive-in Church Registration

If you are planning on attending church service click the button and fill out the information for you and everyone that will be in your vehicle.

 

Volunteers

If you are a volunteer, click the volunteer button to go to the training page.

 

Covid-19 Response Committee Statement

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a severe toll on individuals and families across the United States and there continues to be a high risk of community transmission. Denver South’s COVID-19 Response Committee has developed some safety requirements to help ensure that we are able to enjoy the blessings of coming together for worship while doing as much as possible to protect attendees from the risks of COVID-19. It is important to note that almost no event or activity is completely free of risk during this pandemic. As such, we encourage you to consider attending the service online, if possible. Each of us doing our part to follow these guidelines helps to keep all of us safe and healthy, especially those who may be more at risk because of age, underlying health conditions, or other factors. We believe that keeping our congregation safe is paramount, so if for any reason you cannot or choose not to follow these guidelines, we respectfully ask that you not attend the in-person services. Pastoral staff and elders will be at the events to ensure that all participants are able to respect the health and safety of our congregation as a whole, and that we all can enjoy a time of fellowship and blessing together. All our services will continue to be available online via the church’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DenverSouthSDA.

“We believe that keeping our congregation safe is paramount”

Requirements for attending Denver South Church Events

Reserve your Spot

  • As per current Colorado’s Safer-at-Home guidelines for outdoor events, the maximum attendance at this event will be limited based on the current viral spread risk. In order to make sure we comply with this requirement, a representative from each household must register in advance for this service. They will be asked how many members from their household will be attending. They will also be asked to attest that 1) all members of their household are free of symptoms, and 2) that all members of their household have not been in close contact (generally within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes, depending on level of exposure) with any known cases during the past 14 days.  

Spatial Distancing

  • Everyone must maintain at least 6 feet of spatial distancing at all times from anyone not in their household. This includes while getting in and out of cars, while walking to/from the bathroom, and when visiting with others on the lawn. 

    • Note that 6 feet is the minimum recommended distance. If you will be in proximity to others for any period of time, 12 or even 18 feet of spatial distancing is recommended. 

Face Covering

  • All attendees over the age of 12 must wear a face covering at all times (unless you are inside your vehicle and your windows are rolled up). Face coverings are recommended for children between the age of 3 and 12. All face coverings must comply with Colorado’s face covering guidelines (https://covid19.colorado.gov/mask-guidance). If you do not have a mask, there are some available at the church; please let Pastor Mikey or one of the elders know and you will be given one.

Drive-in Etiquette

  • Please refrain from getting out of your car and visiting with neighboring vehicles during the service.

  • The City and County of Denver regulations do not allow parked cars to idle for more than 5 minutes in any 1 hour period, and the City can issue fines of up to $150 per violation. Therefore, you will need to leave your car turned off during the service. If you are heat sensitive, please consider attending online if the temperatures are above 80 degF. Because of the health risks of high heat, the  drive-in service will be changed to an online-only service if the forecasted temperature will be above 85 degF during the service. 

Visitation Zones

  • If the overall viral spread risk is MODERATE or lower, there will be areas in which you can visit with other attendees after the service. Each household party is welcome to find a designated area which will be indicated on the lawn to visit with nearby parties who are within their designated areas. 

    • When going to and from the visiting areas and your car, please keep at least 12 feet of distance with any other parties. 

    • We know it will be great to see friends, but please remember that you should not have any physical contact with anyone who is not in your household. This means no handshakes, hugs, sharing items, etc. 

*As of July 17, 2020 the viral spread risk for Denver County is HIGH. For more information on the current viral spread risk click here. Due to the increase risk there will be no visitation zone after the church service.

Bathroom Usage

  • If you need it, the men’s bathroom on the south side of the building will be open and available as a unisex restroom. It will be available for use one person at a time (parents may escort younger children). Access to the bathroom will be from the front of the  church (east-facing entrance). Please stand at the designated, marked areas while waiting to use the bathroom so that parties can maintain at least 12 feet of spacing from each other. A deacon to assist in managing restroom access. The church will have Clorox disinfecting wipes for each person who uses the restroom, and you will need to use these to wipe down the toilet seat, flush handle, stall doors/handle, and anything else you touch. Used wipes should be discarded in a trash can outside of the stall; they should NOT be flushed down the toilet. Hands should be washed with soap for 20-25 seconds. The bathroom door will be propped open so you do not need to touch the handle. Please try to use the restroom either before or after the service so you do not disrupt the service and a deacon will be available to assist you.

Changing and Cancellations

  • In the event of inclement weather, the service will be postponed for up to 15 minutes. If the weather does not clear by that time, the service will be cancelled.

Thou Shalt Nots…

  • DO NOT COME if you feel sick or have had any symptoms such as a fever, cough, loss of taste or smell in the past 14 days. 

  • DO NOT COME if you have been in close contact with a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 (generally within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes, depending on level of exposure), within the past two weeks. If you have had close contact with a suspected COVID-19 case, you should contact your healthcare provider and self-quarantine.

If you are over the age of 65 or have any medical condition that puts you at higher risk of complications to COVID-19, we highly recommend that you join us online at https://www.facebook.com/DenverSouthSDA.

If you are most comfortable worshipping online click “Live Stream Event” and watch our events online!