COVID-19 Update

Posted Nov 17, 2020 in News

COVID-19 Update

Following reports of positive COVID-19 cases in South Australia, Chief Public Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier and Premier Steven Marshall provided an update yesterday in relation to the Parafield Gardens cluster.

Be assured that the Crisis Management Team (CMT) in the Synod office is paying close attention to this matter and how any change in restrictions may impact the SA Synod and congregations. The CMT met this afternoon to further address next steps, which are as follows:

Congregations

• We appreciate that some congregations have already chosen to close their buildings. In keeping with the Synod’s cautionary approach to advice and a commitment to keeping people safe, and in following the health advice from the government, we require all congregations within a 50 kilometre radius of the Adelaide CBD to suspend face-to-face worship for the next two Sundays (22^nd and 29^th)
• Also, cancel all in-person meetings and activities in your church buildings within a 50km radius of the Adelaide CBD from tomorrow 18^th November up until 1^st December
• Gatherings update: funerals 50 people maximum; weddings 150 maximum with mandatory registration of all guests by SA Health; and religious ceremonies 100 people maximum
• We encourage congregations to continue to provide online services and to pay particular attention to the pastoral needs of all congregational members and to contact your presbytery, Rev Sue Page or Rev Philip Gardner if you have any further questions.

Synod Staff

• The Synod office and Uniting College Campus will be closed to all visitors from tomorrow 18^th November for a 2 week period seeking to re-open on the 1^st December
• All staff will be encouraged to work from home where possible and are requested to discuss their work-related options with their Executive Officer and/or manager
• Any staff who use public transport will need to discuss alternative arrangements with their Executive Officer.

The CMT will continue to provide updates to staff and congregations as the situation evolves and we will update the Synod website (https://sa.uca.org.au/uniting-church-media-releases/covid-19-update) with the latest information.

As the situation changes rapidly, please keep abreast of all SA Health alerts. This can be done by checking the SA Health website: https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/conditions/infectious+diseases/covid-19/testing+and+tracing/contact+tracing/contact+tracing regularly which also lists all locations in regards to contact tracing. For the latest public advice, you may also call the SA Health Information line: 1800 020 080.

We want to remind you to remain cautious and to adhere to the baseline requirements for physical distancing and to maintain high levels of hygiene practice and that you continue to record attendance on-site. We advise that if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 (runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, stomach cramps, vomiting) even if mild, in the interests of public safety please remain home and seek immediate testing.

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