Protective Measure Guidelines

Protective Measure Guidelines

In light of our current situation in this time of COVID-19, the Diocese of Madison strives to maintain the integrity of its parish formation programs while keeping the parish, children, and volunteers safe. Parish programs that are expected to return to live in-person formation include, but are not limited to, grade school, middle school, and high school formation and sacramental preparation (First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, and RCIA/children’s catechumenate).

• Children’s Personal Health Check: Parents should check the temperature of children daily before they attend any faith formation event. If children have any symptoms of sickness (temperature, cough, runny nose, vomiting or diarrhea), they are not permitted to attend the event on that day. Children should be symptom free without medicine for 24 hours before returning to the parish.
• Adult Participants/Catechists/Adult Volunteers Health Check: Catechists, adult participants and volunteers who assist in catechetical programming should take a daily temperature of themselves before attending formation at the parish. If adults have any symptoms of sickness (temperature, cough, runny nose, vomiting, or diarrhea), they are not permitted to attend an event on that day. Adults should be symptom free without medicine for 24 hours before returning to the parish.
• Attendance: There will be a maximum of 10 children in each classroom.
• Social Distancing: Parish leaders will take time each day to remind participants of proper social distancing. In each space that is used, markings will be placed on the floor and/or seating placed to indicate to participants where to sit/stand with appropriate space between each person (6 feet to the greatest extent possible). This will help them maintain an appropriate distance while moving to stations. It would be ideal for participants to have assigned seating and remain sitting in the same space when they return to a room to minimize the spread of germs.
• Masking: Masking is required at this time in the State of Wisconsin according to a statewide mandate issued by Governor Evers for all individuals who are age 5 and up. Those who are unable to wear a face covering for reasons of health, such as difficulty breathing, are exempt from the order, but they should keep socially distant (6 feet to the greatest extent possible) while attending faith formation. The parish/diocese will not provide masks for children/adults/catechists participating in faith formation programs.
• Signage: Social-distancing, face-masking, and hand-sanitizing signage will be placed at appropriate and visible locations.
• Large Group Events: Large group gatherings should be held only in rare occasions and if county guidelines can be met with space and appropriate social distancing.
• Classroom/Formation Spaces: Tables and frequently touched surfaces should be sanitized at the end of each class session. Tables will be set up in an arrangement that allows participants to be social distanced at 6 feet apart to the greatest extent possible.
• Classroom Materials: Each person will have his or her own supplies to use during formation sessions. Eliminate the sharing of materials to mitigate the passing of germs from one individual to another.
• Drop-Off & Pick-Up: Parents will drop off children at the main entrance and then be escorted to their classroom. Children will be escorted to vehicles at the conclusion of programming to eliminate large gatherings of people in small and confined spaces.

Hygiene Guidelines

Healthy and Safety: St. Mary is committed to safeguarding the health and safety of all who enter the building. Therefore, all who attend formation should comply with the parish hygiene policy.

• Physical Contact: Parish catechetical leaders, catechists, and volunteers should avoid physical contact with participants and should encourage participants to maintain appropriate social distancing.
• Hygiene Reminders: Parish catechetical leaders and catechists should regularly (at the beginning of each event) remind participants of the importance of hygiene policies (e.g., handwashing, not touching faces, and proper sneezing, coughing, and talking in a way that does not spread germs).
• Signage: Visible signage outlining health & safety procedures and hygiene reminders posted.
• Sanitizing Stations: Hand washing/sanitizing stations are in frequently used spaces (classrooms, entryways, hallways, bathrooms, etc.) for ease of repeated use.
• Handwashing: All individuals should sanitize hands as they enter a classroom, after using the restroom, before and after consuming any food.
• Sharing Materials: Participants in formation programs will not share materials.

Food Safety Guidelines

• Snacks: Pre-packaged food will be distributed by the parish.
• Food Distribution: Those distributing food must be wearing a face covering and gloves.
• Sharing Food: Individuals are not permitted to share food or drinks at the parish.
• Water Fountains: Individuals are not permitted to use public water fountains.
• Water Bottles: Children should use provided individual disposable cups to drink water.
• Sanitation: Tables and chairs will be sanitized after individuals have snacked.

Cleaning Guidelines

• Commitment to Cleaning: All parish staff/catechetical leaders and volunteers must be fully committed to safeguarding the health and safety of all individuals by complying with cleaning policies in each parish/facility.
• Cleaning Instruction: All catechetical leaders and volunteers will be instructed on the facility cleaning policy.
• Cleaning Checklist: A cleaning checklist will act as a standard of regular cleaning and maintenance with daily cleaning duties expected prior to and following formation sessions.
• Cleaning Basics: Regular cleaning may include (but is not limited to):
  • Using proper disinfecting solutions.
  • Wiping down frequently touched surfaces before and after every session (chairs, tables, door handles, etc.).
  • Cleaning restrooms after formation sessions.
  • A regular deep cleaning schedule.

Policy & Procedures for COVID-19 Exposure & Positive Tests

• Transparency & Charity: All those involved in faith formation (parish catechetical leaders, catechists, volunteers, and participants) should be transparent and honest about any health concerns related to the COVID-19 situation. We must always act in charity in our response to possible COVID-19 symptoms or concerns. For example, we would always assume in charity that someone not wearing a mask has a good reason for not doing so.
• Response to Catechists/Volunteers Who Test Positive for COVID-19: If an employee, parish catechetical leader, catechist, or volunteer tests positive for COVID -19, the spaces in which that person worked or resided should be closed off and deep cleaned. The individual will be expected to be quarantined for 10 days (or according to local county ordinance) and should not return to serve in the parish unless he or she meets the following criteria: fever free for 3 days (without medicine), symptoms have subsided, county requirements for quarantine have been observed, or at least 10 days have passed without any symptoms.
• Response of Those Who Show Symptoms, Have Been Exposed or Suspect Illness: Those who begin to show symptoms of illness or suspect illness should not attend formation sessions. A space that was occupied by the individual should be disinfected. The individual should choose a self-imposed quarantine (according to county guidelines) and seek a COVID-19 test. No one should return to service until any necessary quarantine ends and symptoms have subsided.
• Children/Families Who Test Positive for COVID-19: If a participant in faith formation tests positive for COVID-19, the spaces which that person occupied should be closed off and deep cleaned. The individual will be expected to be quarantined for 10 days (or according to local county ordinance). A participant should not return to the parish unless he or she meets the following criteria: fever free for 3 days (without medicine), symptoms have subsided, county requirements for quarantine have been observed, or at least 10 days have passed without any symptoms. Families who have one member who tests positive for COVID-19 should assume that all members have been exposed. Families ought to consider quarantining as a unit or having all members tested. Members of the family should not return to formation until the expected quarantine time for “no symptoms” has passed.
• Notification to Participants in Faith Formation Regarding a Positive COVID -19 Test: If a participant, parish catechetical leader, catechist or employee tests positive for COVID-19, the parish upon notification should immediately contact medical authority or public health officials for consultation and follow appropriate directives/suggestions, especially for those who may have been exposed to the infected person. Directives may include notification to participants, parents, staff, etc., with appropriate instructions to individuals. Exposure cases may vary in potential severity and risk based on the situational elements at the time and place of exposure, such as the symptomatic nature of the infected person at the time of exposure, the duration of exposure, the proximity of exposure, protective measures in place at the time (e.g., facial coverings), and the confined nature of the space. The potential directives for an exposure case may vary as well, including sanitation of space, testing, monitoring for symptoms, tracing, tracking, and quarantining.