Guidelines last updated on February 1, 2023

Revised by UUCUC Senior Leadership Team with input from the former members of the COVID-19 Task Force

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the congregation have committed to make personal decisions and take individual actions that maximize the safety of our community and respect the decisions individuals make for themselves and their families. Staff and lay leaders have followed a science-based decision-making process from the very beginning, using guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District. Getting vaccinated and boosted, wearing a face covering, staying home if you aren’t feeling well – these are simple things that we all have done to ensure that we can continue to enjoy the in-person activities of our congregation.

These guidelines are in alignment with the most current local, state, and national recommendations and community practices as well as our congregational principles and values..

• Please stay home and get tested if you or a member of your household are exhibiting any potential COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, coughing, or sneezing. 
• For individuals who have recently tested positive (even without symptoms), the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 5 days. Please do not come into the building during this time.
• If you or a member of your household have recently been exposed to someone with COVID-19, but are not exhibiting symptoms and testing negative when in the building wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) for 10 days after the exposure. Take extra precautions if you will be around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
• For people not affected or recently exposed to COVID, masks are welcomed, but are no longer required in any areas of the building, during worship services, during REE, outdoors, or at any congregation or REE activity off property. There are disposable masks and nonmedical grade N95 respirator masks for voluntary use available at the entrances to the building. We support and honor those who choose to wear a mask at any time. 
• Children, youth, or adults in the building for a meeting, program, or REE activity can ask other participants to wear a mask or move the meeting to a larger area to allow for distancing. Please make every effort to comply with any such request in the spirit of fostering a respectful, inclusive community that honors each person.
• Singing creates a higher risk than speaking due to greater aerosol spread. Guidelines about masking may be stricter for singing than other activities regardless of the level of community transmission.
• Wear a mask inside the building if the community transition level in Champaign County moves to “high” or when a mask advisory is issued. When the level is “high”, activities involving eating or drinking in the building will be suspended until levels drop to “medium” or “low.” 
• A member of staff will put a notice in the weekly email newsletter and the Order of Service, and place signage on the building doors to inform the congregation of the community transmission level. 
• We have provided a “traffic light” system of non verbal communication with colored lanyards so that every person may clearly communicate their level of comfort to all around them. These lanyards are available within the main foyer of the building.
• UUCUC will no longer require proof of COVID vaccination for staff or REE volunteers. 
• We understand that there are those among us with health challenges that no amount of safety precautions will fully protect. We hold the welfare of these persons, and their importance to our community, as high priorities as we strive to create the safest environment possible for persons with health concerns.

UUCUC follows the guidelines provided by the Covid Act Now. To check the community transmission level within Champaign County, please visit the website here: Covid Act Now – Champaign County, IL.

When the Community Transmission Level is LOW: Mask use is based on personal preference. No restrictions on congregation or REE activities.

When the Community Transmission Level is MEDIUM: Mask use in the building is based on personal preference and risk assessment. Eating and drinking may occur inside the building, including during REE activities.

When the Community Transmission Level is HIGH: Wear a mask inside the building. Wear a mask for REE activities inside the building or any indoor location. Mask use outside is based on personal preference. Eating and drinking is suspended inside the building. Larger gatherings and eating/drinking activities may be moved outside (weather permitting). 

If you have any questions about these guidelines, please feel free to reach out to UUCUC’s Director of Congressional Administration, Cate Calac.