COVID-19

INDUSTRY
GUIDANCE:
Places of Worship
and Providers of
Religious Services
and Cultural
Ceremonies

June 12, 2020

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covid19.ca.gov
 OVERVIEW
On March 19, 2020, the State Public Health Officer and Director of the California
Department of Public Health issued an order requiring most Californians to stay at home
to disrupt the spread of COVID-19 among the population.
The impact of COVID-19 on the health of Californians is not yet fully known. Reported
illness ranges from very mild (some people have no symptoms) to severe illness that may
result in death. Certain groups, including people aged 65 or older and those with serious
underlying medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease or diabetes, are at higher
risk of hospitalization and serious complications. Transmission is most likely when people
are in close contact with an infected person, even if that person does not have any
symptoms or has not yet developed symptoms.
Precise information about the number and rates of COVID-19 by industry or
occupational groups, including among critical infrastructure workers, is not available at
this time. There have been multiple outbreaks in a range of workplaces, indicating that
workers are at risk of acquiring or transmitting COVID-19 infection. Examples of these
workplaces include places of worship, long-term care facilities, prisons, food
production, warehouses, meat processing plants, and grocery stores.
As stay-at-home orders are modified, it is essential that all possible steps be taken to
ensure the safety of workers and the public.
Key prevention practices include:
✓ physical distancing to the maximum extent possible,
✓ use of face coverings by employees and volunteers (where respiratory protection
is not required) and congregants/visitors,
✓ frequent handwashing and regular cleaning and disinfection,
✓ training employees and volunteers on these and other elements of the COVID-19
prevention plan.
In addition, it will be critical to have in place appropriate processes to identify new
cases of illness in workplaces and, when they are identified, to intervene quickly and
work with public health authorities to halt the spread of the virus.

PURPOSE
This document provides guidance for places of worship and providers of religious
services and cultural ceremonies (referred to collectively as “places of worship”) to
support a safe, clean environment for employees, interns and trainees, volunteers,
scholars, and all other types of workers (referred to collectively as “staff”) as well as
congregants, worshippers, visitors, etc. (referred to collectively as “visitors” or
“congregants”).
This guidance does not obligate places of worship to resume in-person activity. Further,
it is strongly recommended that places of worship continue to facilitate remote services
and other related activities for those who are vulnerable to COVID19 including older
adults and those with co-morbidities.
Even with adherence to physical distancing, convening in a congregational setting of
multiple different households to practice a personal faith carries a relatively higher risk
for widespread transmission of the COVID-19 virus, and may result in increased rates of
infection, hospitalization, and death, especially among more vulnerable populations. In
particular, activities such as singing and group recitation negate the risk-reduction
achieved through six feet of physical distancing.
*Places of worship must therefore limit indoor attendance to 25% of building capacity or
a maximum of 100 attendees, whichever is lower. Local Health Officers are advised to
consider appropriate limitations on outdoor attendance capacities, factoring their
jurisdiction's key COVID-19 health indicators. At a minimum, outdoor attendance should
be limited naturally through implementation of strict physical distancing measures of a
minimum of six feet between attendees from different households, in addition to other
relevant protocols within this document.
This revised limitation will be in effect for 21-days, at which time the California
Department of Public Health, in consultation with local Departments of Public Health,
will review and assess the impact of these imposed limits on public health and provide
further direction as part of a phased-in restoration of activities in places of worship.
NOTE: This guidance is not intended for food preparation and service, delivery of
items to those in need, childcare and daycare services, school and educational
activities, in-home caregiving, counseling, office work, and other activities that
places and organizations of worship may provide. Organizations that perform
these activities must follow applicable guidance on the COVID-19 Resilience
Roadmap website.
The guidance is not intended to revoke or repeal any employee rights, either statutory,
regulatory or collectively bargained, and is not exhaustive, as it does not include
county health orders, nor is it a substitute for any existing safety and health-related
regulatory requirements such as those of Cal/OSHA.1 Stay current on changes to public
health guidance and state/local orders, as the COVID-19 situation continues. Cal/OSHA
has more safety and health guidance on their Cal/OSHA Guidance on Requirements to
Protect Workers from Coronavirus webpage. The CDC has additional guidance for
community- and faith-based organizations.

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Workplace Specific Plan
• Establish a written, workplace-specific COVID-19 prevention plan at every
location, perform a comprehensive risk assessment of all work areas, and
designate a person at each workplace to implement the plan.

• Identify contact information for the local health department where the
workplace is located for communicating information about COVID-19
outbreaks among staff and congregants/visitors.

• Train and communicate with staff and employee representatives on the

plan.

• Regularly evaluate workplaces for compliance with the plan and

document and correct deficiencies identified.

• Investigate any COVID-19 illness and determine if any work-related

factors could have contributed to risk of infection. Update the plan as
needed to prevent further cases.

• Identify close contacts (within six feet for 15 minutes or more) of an

infected staff member and take steps to isolate COVID-19 positive staff
and close contacts.

• Adhere to the guidelines below. Failure to do so could result in workplace

illnesses that may cause operations to be temporarily closed or limited.

Topics for Employee and Volunteer Training

• Information on COVID-19, how to prevent it from spreading, and which
underlying health conditions may make individuals more susceptible to
contracting the virus.

• Self-screening at home, including temperature and/or symptom checks

using CDC guidelines.

• The importance of not coming to work or participating in activities if staff

have symptoms of COVID-19 as described by the CDC, such as a
frequent cough, fever, difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, sore throat,
recent loss of taste or smell, or if they or someone they live with have
been diagnosed with COVID-19.

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• To seek medical attention if their symptoms become severe, including
persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, or bluish lips or face.
Updates and further details are available on CDC’s webpage.

• The importance of frequent handwashing with soap and water, including

scrubbing with soap for 20 seconds (or using hand sanitizer with at least
60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol when staff cannot get to a sink or
handwashing station, per CDC guidelines).

• The importance of physical distancing, both at work and off work time
(see Physical Distancing section below).

• Proper use of face coverings, including:

o Face coverings do not protect the wearer and are not personal
protective equipment (PPE).

o Face coverings can help protect people near the wearer, but do not
replace the need for physical distancing and frequent handwashing.

o Face coverings must cover the nose and mouth.

o Employees should wash or sanitize hands before and after using or

adjusting face coverings.

o Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth.

o Face coverings should be washed after each shift.

• Ensure all types of staff including temporary, contract, and volunteer

workers are also properly trained in COVID-19 prevention policies and
have necessary PPE. Discuss these responsibilities ahead of time with
organizations supplying temporary, contract, and/or volunteer staff.

• Information on employer or government-sponsored leave benefits the

employee may be entitled to receive that would make it financially
easier to stay at home. See additional information on government
programs supporting sick leave and worker’s compensation for COVID-
19, including employee’s sick leave rights under the Families First
Coronavirus Response Act and employee’s rights to workers’
compensation benefits and presumption of the work-relatedness of
COVID-19 pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order N-62-20.

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Individual Control Measures and Screening
• Provide temperature and/or symptom screenings for all staff at the
beginning of their shift. Make sure the temperature/symptom screener
avoids close contact with staff to the extent possible. Both screeners and
staff should wear face coverings for the screening.

• If requiring self-screening at home, which is an appropriate alternative to

providing it at the establishment, ensure that screening was performed
prior to the worker and/or volunteer leaving the home for their shift and
follows CDC guidelines, as described in the Topics for Employee Training
section above.

• Encourage staff and congregants/visitors who are sick or exhibiting

symptoms of COVID-19, or who have family members who are ill, to stay
home.

• Employers should provide and ensure workers and volunteers use all
required protective equipment, including eye protection and gloves,
where necessary.

• Places of worship should consider where disposable gloves use may be

helpful to supplement frequent handwashing or use of hand sanitizer;
examples are for staff who are screening others for symptoms or handling
commonly touched items. All workers and volunteers should wear gloves
when handling items contaminated by body fluids.

• Face coverings are strongly recommended when staff are in the vicinity
of others. Workers and volunteers should have face coverings available
and wear them when at all facilities, in offices, when making home visits
as part of providing services, or in a vehicle during work-related travel
with others. Face coverings must not be shared. Places of worship are
generally encouraged to provide face coverings but must provide them
when required by employer rules or these guidelines.

• Staff, volunteers, etc. should not enter the home or visit someone who as
tested positive for, exhibited symptoms of, or has been in contact with
someone infected with COVID-19 for an appropriate waiting period as
described by CDC guidelines.

• Places of worship must take reasonable measures, including posting

signage in strategic and highly-visible locations, to remind
congregants/visitors that they should use face coverings and practice
physical distancing whenever possible. Babies and children under age
two should not wear face coverings, in accordance with CDC guidelines.

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• Use social media, website, texts, email, newsletters, etc., to communicate
the steps being taken to protect congregants/visitors and staff so that
they are familiar with the policies (including to stay home if experiencing
symptoms or are at increased risk of becoming sick, face coverings,
physical distancing, handwashing and/or sanitizing, and cough
etiquette), before arriving at the facility. Staff and volunteers are strongly
encouraged to remind congregants/visitors of these practices with
announcements during services or on welcoming guests.

• Congregants/visitors should be screened for temperature and/or

symptoms upon arrival to places of worship and asked to use hand
sanitizer and to wear face coverings.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols

• Perform thorough cleaning of high traffic areas such as lobbies, halls,
chapels, meeting rooms, offices, libraries, and study areas and areas of
ingress and egress including stairways, stairwells, handrails, and elevator
controls. Frequently disinfect commonly used surfaces including
doorknobs, toilets, handwashing facilities, pulpits and podiums, donation
boxes or plates, altars, and pews and seating areas.
• Establish frequent cleaning and disinfection of personal work areas such
as desks and cubicles and supply the necessary cleaning products.
Provide time for workers to implement cleaning practices during their
shift. Cleaning assignments should be assigned during working hours as
part of the staff’s job duties.
• Discourage sharing items used in worship and services (such as prayer
books, cushions, prayer rugs, etc.) whenever possible and provide single-
use or digital copies or ask congregants/visitors to bring personal items
instead. Avoid sharing work equipment and supplies, such as phones,
office equipment, computers, etc., wherever possible. Never share PPE.
• Where such items must be shared, disinfect between shifts or uses,
whichever is more frequent, including the following: shared office
equipment (copiers, fax machines, printers, telephones, keyboards,
staplers, etc.) and items in shared worship items, etc., with a cleaner
appropriate for the surface.
• Ensure that sanitary facilities stay operational and stocked at all times
and provide additional soap, paper towels, and hand sanitizer when
needed. Consider more frequently cleaning and disinfecting
handwashing facilities that are used more often. Use signage to reinforce
handwashing.

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• Disinfect microphones and stands, music stands, instruments and other
items on pulpits and podiums between each use. Consult equipment
manufacturers to determine appropriate disinfection steps, particularly
for soft, porous surfaces such as foam mufflers.
• Consider using disposable seat covers for congregants/visitors,
particularly on porous surfaces or where a facility has multiple daily
services. Discard and replace seat covers between each use. Provide
disposable or washable covers on pillows used as seating on floors and
change/wash them after each use.
• Install hand sanitizer dispensers, touchless whenever possible, at
entrances and contact areas such as meeting rooms, lobbies, and
elevator landings.
• When choosing cleaning chemicals, establishments should use products
approved for use against COVID-19 on the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA)-approved list and follow product instructions. Use
disinfectants labeled to be effective against emerging viral pathogens,
diluted household bleach solutions (5 tablespoons per gallon of water), or
alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol that are appropriate for the
surface. Provide staff training on manufacturer’s directions and Cal/OSHA
requirements for safe use. Workers and volunteers using cleaners or
disinfectants should wear gloves or other protective equipment as
required by the product instructions.
• Wash religious garments and linens after each service or event, at the
highest water setting possible. Ask congregants/visitors to bring their own
storage bags for personal garments and shoes. Staff, congregants, and
visitors should wear gloves when handling others’ dirty linens, shoes, etc.
• Discontinue passing offering plates and similar items that move between
people. Use alternative giving options such as secure drop boxes that do
not require opening/closing and can be cleaned and disinfected.
Consider implementing digital systems that allow congregants/visitors to
make touch-free offerings.
• Mark walking paths between spaces designated for congregants/visitors
to sit/kneel so that people do not walk where someone may touch their
head to the floor.
• During meetings and services, introduce fresh outside air, for example by
opening doors/windows (weather permitting) and operating ventilation
systems.
• Consider installing portable high-efficiency air cleaners, upgrading the
building’s air filters to the highest efficiency possible, and making other
modifications to increase the quantity of outside air and ventilation in
worship areas, offices, and other spaces.
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Physical Distancing Guidelines
• Places of worship should continue to provide services through alternative
methods (such as via internet live and/or recorded streaming, telephone,
drive-in, etc.) whenever possible.

• Consider holding in-person meetings and providing in-person services

outside whenever possible.

• Implement measures to ensure physical distancing of at least six feet

between workers, staff, congregants/visitors, etc. This can include use of
physical partitions or visual cues (e.g., floor or pew markings or signs to
indicate where people should sit and stand). Reconfigure seating and
standing areas to maintain physical distancing of six feet or more
between congregants/visitors from different households. Consider limiting
seating to alternate rows. Members of the same household may be
seated together but should maintain at least six feet of distance from
other households.

• Consider dedicating staff to help people maintain distances during

activities.

• Shorten services to limit the length of time congregants/visitors spend at

facilities whenever possible. This could include limiting speeches, asking
congregants/visitors to put on garments at home before arrival, etc.

• Close places of worship for visitation outside of scheduled services,

meetings, etc., whenever possible.

• Consider implementing a reservation system to limit the number of

congregants/visitors attending facilities at a time. This can include the use
of digital platforms or other types of tools.

• Encourage congregants/visitors to meet with the same group, particularly

when services meet frequently and/or require a certain number of
people to be present. This can reduce the spread of transmission by
minimizing the number of different individuals who come into close
contact with each other.

• Consider offering additional meeting times (per day or per week) so that
fewer guests attend meetings and services at one time. Clean meeting
areas between each use as described in this guidance.

• Discontinue large gatherings that encourage congregants/visitors to

travel and break physical distances during activities, such as concerts,
large holiday and life event celebrations and remembrances.

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• Children should remain in the care of those in their household unit and
not interact with children of other parties at any time while visiting
facilities. Close play areas and discontinue activities and services for
children where physical distancing of at least six feet cannot be
maintained.

• Encourage congregants/visitors to physically distance themselves from

others outside their household, avoid touching surfaces, and to leave the
facility if they do not feel well.

• Consider limiting touching for religious and/or cultural purposes, such as

holding hands, to members of the same household.

• Dedicate staff to direct guests to meeting rooms upon entry to places of

worship rather than congregating in lobbies or common areas. Consider
using ushers to help people find places to sit and stand that are at least
six feet apart from other guests/household groups. Ask
congregants/visitors to arrive and leave in a single group to minimize
crossflow of people. Welcome and dismiss congregants/visitors from
altars, podiums, meeting rooms, etc. in an orderly way to maintain
physical distancing and minimize crossflow of traffic, to the extent
possible.

• Prop or hold doors open during peak periods when congregants/visitors

are entering and exiting facilities, if possible and in accordance with
security and safety protocols.

• Close or restrict common areas, such as break rooms, kitchenettes, foyers,

etc. where people are likely to congregate and interact. Consider
installing barriers or increase physical distance between tables/seating
when there is continued use of these areas.

• Turn off public drinking water fountains and place signs informing
congregants/visitors they are inoperable.

• Remove from service or find low-community touch alternatives for

communal/religious water containers such as fonts, sinks, and vessels.
Empty and change water between uses. Where there is a possibility of
contaminant splash, staff, congregants, visitors, etc., are strongly
encouraged to use equipment to protect the eyes, nose, and mouth
using a combination of face coverings, protective glasses, and/or face
shields. Reusable protective equipment such as shields and glasses should
be properly disinfected between uses.

• When washing is a required activity, modify practices whenever possible

to limit splashing and the need to clean and disinfect washing facilities.
Encourage necessary washing to be performed at home prior to entering
a facility, if possible.

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• Reconfigure podiums and speaker areas, office spaces, meeting rooms,
conference rooms, etc., to allow for at least six feet between people.
Face coverings are strongly recommended at all times for
congregants/visitors and staff, especially when physical distance of at
least six feet is not possible.

• Establish directional hallways and passageways for foot traffic, if possible,

and designate separate routes for entry and exit into meeting rooms,
offices, etc., to help maintain physical distancing and lessen the
instances of people closely passing each other.

• Limit the number of individuals riding in an elevator and ensure the use of
face coverings. Post signage regarding these policies.

• Utilize practices, when feasible and necessary, to limit the number of staff
and congregants/visitors in office, meeting spaces, etc., at one time. This
may include scheduling (e.g. staggering start/end times), establishing
alternating days for onsite reporting, returning to places of worship in
phases, or continued use of telework when feasible.

• Consider offering workers and volunteers who request modified duties

options that minimize their contact with congregants/visitors and other
staff (e.g., office duties rather than working as an usher or managing
administrative needs through telework).

• Stagger staff breaks, in compliance with wage and hour regulations, to

maintain physical distancing protocols.

• Discontinue nonessential travel and encourage distance meetings via

phone and internet.

• Close self-service item selection such as pamphlet displays and

bookshelves and provide these items to congregants/visitors individually
as necessary. Consider delivering items and information electronically.

• Consider limiting the number of people that use the restroom at one time
to allow for physical distancing.

• Discourage staff, congregants, visitors, etc., from engaging in

handshakes, hugs, and similar greetings that break physical distance.
Take reasonable measures to remind people to wave or use other
greetings.

• Reconfigure parking lots to limit congregation points and ensure proper

separation (e.g., closing every other space). If performing drive-in
services, ensure vehicle windows and doors are closed if six feet of
distance is not possible between vehicles.

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• Continue to support non-in person attendance of services and other
related activities by those who are vulnerable to COVID19 including older
adults and those with co-morbidities.

Considerations for Places of Worship

• Discontinue offering self-service food and beverages. Do not hold
potlucks or similar family-style eating and drinking events that increase
the risk of cross contamination. If food and beverages must be served,
provide items in single-serve, disposable containers whenever possible.
Employees or volunteers serving food should wash hands frequently and
wear disposable gloves and face coverings.

• Strongly consider discontinuing singing, group recitation, and other

practices and performances where there is increased likelihood for
transmission from contaminated exhaled droplets. Modify practices such
as limiting the number people reciting or singing, ensuring physical
distancing greater than six feet between people, or opt to celebrate
these practices outside with physical distancing, etc., if these practices
cannot be discontinued.

• Consider modifying practices that are specific to particular faith traditions

that might encourage the spread of COVID-19. Examples are
discontinuing kissing of ritual objects, allowing rites to be performed by
fewer people, avoiding the use of a common cup, offering communion
in the hand instead of on the tongue, providing pre-packed communion
items on chairs prior to service, etc., in accordance with CDC guidelines.

Considerations for Funerals

• Consider reduced visitor capacity and stagger visitation times at funerals,
wakes, etc., if possible. Follow all cleaning and disinfection measures as
described in this guidance. Whenever possible, remind visitors to maintain
physical distance from each other, from staff and volunteers, and from
the deceased.

• Consider modifying religious or cultural practices when washing or

shrouding bodies of those who have died from COVID-19, in accordance
with guidance from CDPH and the CDC. If washing the body or shrouding
are important religious or cultural practices, work with funeral home staff
and families to reduce exposure as much as possible. All people
participating in these activities must wear disposable gloves and if there
will be splashing of fluids, people must use additional protective

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 equipment including protection for the eyes, nose, and mouth, such as
face shields.

• Consult and comply with local guidance regarding limits on gathering

sizes, travel, holding funerals for those who died from COVID-19, etc.

• Consider other recommendations and modifications of services related

to places of worship outlined above, as applicable for funeral services.

1Additional requirements must be considered for vulnerable populations. Places of worship must
comply with all Cal/OSHA standards and be prepared to adhere to its guidance as well as
guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California
Department of Public Health (CDPH). Additionally, places of worship must be prepared to alter
their operations as those guidelines change.

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