Guidelines for the Use of Church Property

Worship services will continue to be live-streamed online. This section pertains to in-person attendance

Before Arrival

Updated on Mar 9, 2022: This section only applies to Monday-Friday, as well as to the Cantonese and Mandarin worship services on Sunday.

• Complete the appropriate RSVP form, which can be found under the Registration section

• Review and accept the conditions laid out in the "Assumption of Risk and Waiver of Liability Relating"

• Review and understand the rules and procedures outlined in the Safety Plan

• Complete the self-assessment questionnaire

Arriving at MGC

• If not already completed, scan the QR code at entrances to complete the self-assessment questionnaire

• Upon entrance, please report to the marked check-in area to have your temperature taken via an instant-read touchless thermometer

• At this stage of the provincial reopening and to ensure safety, singspiration will be led by singspiration leader. No congregational singing is allowed indoor.

• Please sit according to the Seating Plans outlined in the Facilities section

• Review and understand the rules and procedures outlined in Section 3 of the Safety Plan

  • It is the responsibility of each attendee to practice good personal hygiene and sanitary procedures

  • It is the responsibility of each attendee to practice physical distancing measures, whenever possible

  • It is the responsibility of each attendee to respect PPE protocols when indoors

Please vacate the premises and return home if at any time:

• • You feel unwell or exhibit symptoms of COVID-19

  • Do not pass the self-assessment questionnaire

  • Suspect that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 / are at high risk of transmission

After Worship Service

• If you are feel unwell or exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 within 7 days of attendance, please immediately notify the office (info@mgc.ca // (905) 472-3100)

This section is dedicated for organized events that are not considered worship services. Use cases include Fellowship gatherings, Sunday school, worship team practice, committee meetings, other ministry uses, etc...

Prior to Event Date (1 week notice is recommended to secure your spot)

• Assign a lead person to regulate the rules and procedures outlined in the Safety Plan

• Book the parking lot for the date and time using the MGC event calendar

Booking Rules

• Your booking shall not cause the total number of persons that will be outdoors on the MGC premises, at any given time, to exceed 100.

• Before booking the event, please first review all existing entries at https://mgc.ca/cc/ to ensure that your event will not violate the rule above

Booking Procedures

• All bookings/reservations are done through office. The lead person may send requests to info@mgc.ca

• It is the responsibility of the lead person to ensure there are no existing conflicts in timing / requested room

On Event Day

Please adhere to the same procedures listed in the section 'Guidelines for Worship - Outdoor (rear parking lot)'

After Event

• Sanitize all surfaces and equipment used

• Within 48 hours, the lead person must report the following information to the office (info@mgc.ca // (905) 472-3100):

  1. The total number of attendees

  2. Contact information for the attendees

  3. All rooms and facilities that were used or accessed

• If any attendees feel unwell or exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 within 7 days of attendance, please immediately notify the office

This section is dedicated for physical activity. For use of the Gymnasium for non-physical activity, please refer to the below Section titled 'Guidelines for Indoor Gatherings / Events / Functions'

All guidelines from the MGC safety plan, York Region Public Health, and Ontario Ministry of Health must be followed.

Update June 11, 2022: Proof of vaccination is no longer required. However, the event organizer may choose to enforce stricter vaccination rules.

Usage Rules:

1. A lead-personnel ("person in charge") shall be designated. The person in charge of organizing the function must create a before/after cleaning plan, and submit it to the office along with their booking. (e,g, what equipment needs to be cleaned before/after the gym usage, who will be cleaning it, etc)

2. NO walk-ins are allowed. All participants must RSVP ahead of time. The person in charge will be responsible for creating an RSVP form and contact tracing information to send to the office within 24 hours after the function

3. Max capacity will be capped at 20 people inside the gym

4. The use of the kitchen is strictly prohibited except in the following cases:

   • Refilling personal drinking bottles with fresh water (no direct drinking from the tap)

   • Access to first aid, phone, or medical equipment in emergencies, and

   • Brief transportation of equipment.

   • In such circumstances, each participant should limit the time in the kitchen as much as possible (in-and-out only, no loitering)

5. While not actively participating in the activity / spectating / waiting to play, participants must keep their masks on at all times and follow current social distancing guidelines

6. Mask must be worn when stepping outside the gym and in church premises

Before entering the building (regardless of duration or purpose):

• All staff, contractors, congregant members, and volunteers are required to complete three mandatory actions:

  1. Complete the self-assessment screening questionnaire (accessible by scanning the QR code posted at all entrances, or via https://www.mgca.ca)

  2. Provide contact information (name, email / phone number, time of entry) for contact tracing purposes

  3. Record the body temperature of the person, taken via touch-less thermometer

• During non-office hours, a sign-in sheet will be provided at the screening station to record time in/out and touch-less thermometer will be available at screening station for self check. All information will be recorded in the sign in sheet.

• Supplies required for screening will be available at screening areas (pencil, paper, touch-less thermometer)

• Supplies required for sanitization and/or PPE will be be available at screening areas (hand sanitizer, face mask, cleaning and disinfecting wipes.)

• 15 min. Rapid COVID test kit will be available if needed at the Screening Station

Any personnel that does not pass the self-assessment:

• Will not be permitted to enter the Milliken Gospel Church building;

• Strongly recommended to go home to self-isolate immediately;

• Should immediately contact their health care provider or Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000) to find out if they need a COVID-19 test and for further instructions

After successful screening and admitted entrance to the MGC premises:

All staff and congregants should make every effort to adhere to the following actions:

Physical Distancing

• Maximize distance between persons of at least 2 meters (6 feet)

• Limit the number of workers working in one space so that they can distance themselves from each other by

• Communicate to staff to adhere to physical distancing guidelines whenever possible

• Maintain a clear point of entry to the place of worship and a separate point of exit

• Provide physical distancing markers and signage (e.g. such as tape on floors or walkways and signs on walls, to ensure that staff and congregants remain physically distanced apart while moving in spaces such as hallways)

Hygiene and PPE:

• Ensure all hand-washing facilities are available and in good working order. Proper handwashing is key.

• Workers shall be trained in the proper hand washing technique and avoid touching their face. Adequate hand washing should be performed frequently.

• Encourage all personnel to wash their hands before entering the workplace, after contact with others, or with surfaces others have touched.

• All hand sanitizers and soap dispensers are checked regularly to ensure they are filled

  • Hand sanitizer with minimum alcohol content of 60% should be where hand washing with soap is not possible

• Cover nose and mouth by face mask at all times inside the church (Ontario guide to face masks)

Disinfection and Sanitizing:

• Encourage all staff and congregants to maintain clean work stations, counters, and equipment

• Provide hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes for staff to use. These shall be, where possible, made available near entry ways, reception and other high-traffic areas

• Provide a safe place for individuals to dispose of used sanitizing wipes and disposable protective equipment. Empty and clean waste containers on a regular basis

• Pay particular attention to frequently touched surfaces and common areas, such as entrances, counters and washrooms

• Clean and disinfect/sterilize equipment such as door knobs, seating areas, light switches, railings and other equipment

• Additional resource (Public Health Ontario): Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings

Other Measures:

• Be subject to the maximum of people limit indoor per York Region Public Health latest guidance

• Signage are posted outside of each room indicating maximum capacity of each room

• Every effort shall be made to ensure proper ventilation in closed rooms

  • Airflow can be optimized by opening windows, opening doors, and turning on HVAC ventilation system.

  • Review the Government of Canada's Guide on Indoor Ventilation

• Outside of office staff, a no food/drink policy (while inside the building) is in effect

• The kitchen/pantry remain closed for use for cooking / preparing food

Please review and follow all steps outlined in the Safety Plan

Worship services will continue to be live-streamed online. This section pertains to in-person attendance

Before Arrival

Updated on Mar 9, 2022: This section only applies to the Cantonese and Mandarin worship services on Sunday.

• Complete the appropriate RSVP form, which can be found under the Registration section

• Review and accept the conditions laid out in the "Assumption of Risk and Waiver of Liability Relating"

• Review and understand the rules and procedures outlined in the Safety Plan

• Complete the self-assessment questionnaire

Arriving at MGC

Chairs: If possible, please bring your own chairs. This will help with sanitation needs and avoid potential contamination. You may choose to optionally worship from inside your car (see 'Parking' below).

Bathrooms: If you choose to access the bathrooms indoors, please note you will have to adhere to the check-in rules before entering the building (i.e. temperature must be taken). Rules can be found in Section 3 of the Safety Plan

Parking: Please park along the outside perimeter of the parking lot. If you choose to worship from your vehicle, please park in the second row of the rear parking lot. There will be traffic directors on site.

Arrival Time: Please aim to arrive 15 minutes early. We are aiming to start punctually and avoid a prolonged gathering.

Distancing: Please respect the 6-feet minimum physical distancing regulations set forth by York Region. Members of the same household need not be subject to this requirement. Where physical distancing is not possible, the use of masks / PPE will be required.

Masks / PPE: We continue to encourage responsible use of masks and PPE. While outdoors and maintaining physical distancing, it is not a requirement to keep your mask/PPE on. However, where physical distancing is not possible, the use of masks / PPE will be required.

Singing: Singing and loud vocals without the use of masks/PPE is permitted only when the 6-feet minimum physical distancing is respected.

Weather: Please be mindful of the weather and check the forecast before arriving. Please dress accordingly and bring any equipment (e.g. umbrellas) at your own discretion. We will not be providing communal umbrellas in case of any light / intermittent rain.

Indoor Access:

If access to the building is required, please follow these steps:

• Scan the QR code at entrances to complete the self-assessment questionnaire

• Upon entrance, please report to the marked check-in area to have your temperature taken via an instant-read touchless thermometer

• Review and understand the rules and procedures outlined in Section 3 of the Safety Plan

Please vacate the premises and return home if at any time:

• • You feel unwell or exhibit symptoms of COVID-19

  • Do not pass the self-assessment questionnaire

  • Suspect that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 / are at high risk of transmission

After Worship Service

• If you are feel unwell or exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 within 7 days of attendance, please immediately notify the office (info@mgc.ca // (905) 472-3100)