On April 28, 2020 Governor Justice of West Virginia posted West Virginia guidelines for religious entities.  Those guidelines can be found here:  https://coronavirus.wvgovstatus.com/2020.04.28%20ReligiousGuidelines.pdf.  Regulations are different than guidelines and we view these as guidelines, not as regulations.  The guidelines should be noted that there are no group size limitations and religious gatherings are permitted.

Based upon the vote of the Mountain View Conference Executive Committee today, we are hereby lifting the restriction on our churches being closed effective May 9, 2020.  Thus the last Sabbath for our church buildings to be closed would be May 2, 2020.  Our church will have a plan in place to provide online services for at least the near term, plus other ways to attempt to protect attendees from infection transmission to the extent reasonably possible. With that said, please prepare to adhere to the following guidelines as we reopen the church and continue our regular services.

Mountain View Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Guidelines for operating churches amidst Covid-19

Starting May 9, 2020 and easing as conditions seem prudent:

1. Wipe down with cleaning items often touched doors, handrails, sinks, faucets, toilets and flush levers, and any other items that are often touched.
2. Minimize what items need to be touched by multiple people.
3. Hand sanitizer should be conspicuously available as well as a place for people to wash hands with soap and water. 
4. Anyone with a fever or cough, feeling at all sick, or any symptoms related to the Covid-19 virus needs to stay home.  Anyone exhibiting any symptoms will be politely told they need to leave.
5. The people most vulnerable to this virus, which are the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions, are encouraged to remain home at this time, but if the choice is made to attend church, wearing a face mask is encouraged. Others who wish to wear a mask may do so also.
6. Gloves are not encouraged as gloves worn constantly can simply spread viruses and good hand washing techniques should be employed instead.  We also ask that members not shake hands, avoid other contact as much as possible, and that we do our best to give those around us a comfortable amount of space.
7. Fellowship dinners should be avoided until conditions improve.
8. Families should be encouraged to sit together and as much as possible, seating should be every other row of seating.  If more people arrive than what can fit into every other row, then people should not be turn away.  Instead an effort should be made to have those younger and comfortable sitting closer, to adjust their location.  There is no group size limit in West Virginia as put forth in their guidance for churches but currently Maryland limits the number to 10 which legally is questionable from a religious liberty perspective.
9. Offering plates should not be passed along where multiple people touch it.  Rather have ushers either hold onto plates the entire time or provide a common collection point that members can access.
10. Care for children’s divisions consists of attempting to wipe down and clean surfaces and having children wash their hands.  The CDC has additional guidance for child care but much seems to not apply in a church setting.
11. We recognize that many of our members may be hesitant to come to church and so we will facilitate in some capacity a method for those staying home to still be involved in religious services i.e visit our media page. However, keep in mind, even if much more strict guidance was followed than what is outlined here, there is always a risk of becoming infected with a virus that is airborne and lives on surfaces, no matter where you are at or what you are doing.
12. Make a point to call other church members and fellowship and pray with them.  This should be done on a routine basis even if there is not a health concern in the community.