The church council has determined that we will monitor the following indicators, and apply them as follows:
Health Directives
- The Good Shepherd will comply with all applicable directives issued by federal, state or local authorities.
Covid Act Now
The Good Shepherd uses Covid Act Now as a primary tool for monitoring conditions in Allegheny County.
Covid Act Now follows a 3-color COVID community risk level framework informed by 3 key metrics:
· Cases: (weekly new reported cases per 100k)
· Admissions: (weekly COVID admissions per 100k)
· Patients: (% of patients with COVID of all beds).
Good Shepherd Council’s Status Policy
- Green (Low Risk) Status: Worship and other indoor events are open to all individuals. Masks are optional in the building and social distancing is recommended.
- Yellow (Medium Risk) Status: Worship and other indoor events are open to all individuals. Masks are recommended in the building and social distancing is required.
- Orange (High Risk) Status: Worship and other indoor events are open to all individuals. Masks are required in the building and social distancing is required. The Council will meet to determine if additional precautions are required.
The new framework replaces our former “U.S. COVID Risk Level” to better reflect the now decreased risk of severe illness and death from COVID due to vaccines, therapeutics, and past COVID infections, as well as other developments.
It’s based on the CDC’s Community Level framework and its recommendations, which prioritize reducing severe illness and death, and preventing healthcare systems from being overwhelmed. Its aim is to help communities across the country live safely with the coronavirus, while also, as much as possible, returning to some version of normal life.
Congregational Cases
- If a worshiper tests positive: In the event of a worshiper testing positive they should follow the current quarantine period and not attend worship until the quarantine period ends.