Guidelines

Utah Area Supplement to

First Presidency Guidelines for Safely Returning to Church Meetings and Activities

For Use by Area Seventies, Stake Presidents, and Bishops in Utah

 

      As invited by the letter from the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dated May19, 2020, Safely Returning to Church Meetings and Activities, and the associated Guidelines for Safely Returning to Church Meetings and Activities, and after prayerfully considering the unique aspects of the Church in the Utah Area, we provide the following Supplement and approval for wards and branches in the Utah Area to resume meetings as described below.

      We ask stake presidents to counsel with their assigned Area Seventy and with bishops. They should carefully study the First Presidency Guidelines side-by-side with this Utah Area Supplement and then prayerfully implement an appropriate plan to begin holding meetings. We emphasize the importance of proceeding cautiously as we adapt to the continuing challenges associated with the COVID–19 pandemic. If stake presidents have questions or need assistance, the Area Seventies in Utah are available to help in any needful way.

Utah Area Guidelines

      Wards in the Utah Area are approved to move to Phase 1 with the following adjustments:

      Sunday Sacrament Meetings Only. Given the logistical and space challenges created by the size of congregations and number of wards meeting in most meetinghouses in Utah, we recommend that, for now, only sacrament meetings be held in person on Sundays. We also recommend that all other meetings normally included in the Sunday block continue to be suspended because of space limitations in most meetinghouses. Quorums and classes are authorized to fellowship during the week by gathering remotely using technology or in small groups for activities or other purposes.

      Although Phase 1 allows up to 99 participants to meet together for sacrament meeting, please remember that this is a maximum rather than an expectation or quota. The size of chapels and the need to carefully follow social distancing and safety procedures may dictate that a smaller number of participants is more appropriate, particularly as you first resume meeting and are gaining experience as to how best to protect one another.

      Youth Gatherings. In most instances, youth meetings and activities should still be held via technology; however, infrequent gatherings of quorums and classes could be considered if all social distancing and other government regulations are followed. We suggest that in-person youth gatherings be small at first (fewer than 20 people) as youth learn to apply social distancing standards in a church setting. The Utah Area Presidency will inform stake presidents when larger youth gatherings are approved.

Establishing a Meeting Plan. We ask stake presidents to counsel with their assigned Area Seventy and with bishops in developing a meeting plan. This plan should determine the timing for resuming the permitted meetings and include steps to ensure the safety of participants and compliance with the First Presidency Guidelines, the additional items in this Utah Area Supplement, and state and local governmental regulations. Given the limits on the number of participants and the safety requirements for sacrament meetings in the Utah Area, wards will likely need to hold multiple meetings on Sunday and may also need to invite members to attend on alternating weeks (yet not less than once per month).

      As part of the meeting plan, we recommend that stake presidents and bishops consider what instructions should be given to members at the beginning of each sacrament meeting that will both highlight the sacred nature of the ordinance of the sacrament and explain some of the steps taken to protect everyone in attendance.

      Additional Safety Precautions. In consideration of Utah’s governmental guidelines and our circumstances in the Utah Area, we offer the following precautions in addition to the social distancing and sanitary procedures identified in the First Presidency’s Guidelines. We also encourage bishops and stake presidents to be attentive to any circumstances that may require additional local adaptation.

      Social Distancing Procedures.

·         Seating arrangements should be made so that at least a 6-foot radius (side-to-side and front-to-back) is maintained between household groups. Individuals from the same household, including single adults or missionaries who share the same apartment, may choose to sit together. Similar precautions should be made for those sitting on the stand. As indicated in the state guidelines, signage should be posted to remind members to maintain social distancing standards.

            

·         Members who desire to attend the meeting should be encouraged in advance to wear face coverings.

·         As indicated in the state guidelines, individuals should be encouraged not to congregate in lobbies or other areas in the building.

·         In the case of multiple meetings on the same day, bishops may assign counselors to preside reducing the number of meetings each member of the bishopric attends each week.

      Sanitary procedures.

·         Wipes may be used to disinfect the pulpit (e.g., touchable surfaces and microphone) after each speaker, if appropriate and desired.

·         Wards should discontinue providing printed programs and the use of hymnbooks until conditions return to normal.

      Safety in Administering the Sacrament.

·         During the playing of the sacrament hymn and prior to breaking the bread, those priesthood holders who will break the bread should use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, preferably in view of the congregation.

·         Surfaces on sacrament trays, including handles, should be cleaned and disinfected before and after each use.

·         Priesthood holders administering the sacrament should offer the tray to all members rather than having individuals pass trays down the row. Given that the congregation is socially distancing, there should be at least one empty row between household groups.

·         Priesthood holders should use a sufficient number of trays so that pieces of broken bread may be separated and so that water cups may be spaced to ensure the remaining cups are not inadvertently touched. We also recommend that a separate tray be used to retrieve cups from the congregation. Special care should be taken in helping children retrieve the bread and water. 

      

      High-Risk Individuals and Administering the Sacrament in Homes. The Utah state guidelines encourage particular care with respect to high-risk individuals (those 65 years and older and those with underlying medical conditions). We urge priesthood leaders to be particularly mindful of high-risk individuals in all planning and ministering efforts. Our sense is that it is still best if these individuals are discouraged from attending an in-person sacrament meeting. To support high-risk individuals, and others who may choose not to gather in sacrament meetings for a time, bishops may continue to authorize administration of the sacrament as provided in the First Presidency Guidelines.

Because circumstances and health issues vary by individual, we urge leaders to help members not feel compelled to attend meetings and feel supported should they choose not to participate for a time.

Guidelines from the State of Utah

• Download Religious Services Guidelines – Yellow (PDF)
• Seating arrangements should be made such that a 6-foot distance is maintained between each household group
• Limit the number of people in a confined area to enable adequate 6-foot distancing at all times between each household group.
• See below for additional considerations.

Considerations for Faith Groups Returning to In-Person Religious Services

Governor Herbert recognizes the importance of faith groups during these difficult times. Under the Orange (Moderate Risk) and Yellow (Low Risk) Utah COVID-19 Health Risk Status Phased Guidelines, faith groups are able to hold in-person religious services of any size as long as a distance of at least six feet is maintained between household groups. This six-foot distance requirement is the only limit imposed by the Phased Guidelines on the number of people permitted to participate in an in-person religious service.

The following are provided as considerations for faith groups and individuals returning to in-person religious services. These considerations were prepared in consultation with a working group of faith leaders representing the rich diversity of faiths in Utah. These considerations are also consistent with ongoing messaging from the Utah Department of Health and are consistent with the best available medical science.

These considerations are not binding on any faith group and should not be construed as an attempt to regulate religious practices. They are provided as information so that individuals can make decisions to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. Each faith group will decide for itself when to resume in-person religious services.

• Consideration for high-risk individuals:
  • Limit participation in any in-person gatherings, including religious services, of any number of people outside your household group.
  • High-risk individuals include those:
    • aged 65 and older;
    • who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility;
    • with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma;
    • who have a serious heart condition;
    • who are immunocompromised, including:
      • individuals who have recently received cancer treatment, bone marrow transplantation, or organ transplantation;
      • individuals living with HIV or AIDS; and
      • individuals who have experienced prolonged use of corticosteroids or other immune weakening medications;
    • with severe obesity (BMI of 40 or higher);
    • with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, including diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease;
    • who smoke; or
    • with hypertension.
• Considerations for all individuals participating in an in-person religious service:
  • Wear a face mask when you cannot maintain a distance of six feet from other individuals from a different household.
  • Do not shake hands with, or otherwise touch, an individual who is not a member of your household group.
  • Avoid high-touch surfaces.
  • Disinfect high touch surfaces frequently.
  • Wash your hands frequently.
  • Wear a face mask and wear gloves or sanitize hands when preparing food to be consumed by individuals from a different household.
  • Avoid group meals that are not part of the religious service.
• Considerations for faith group leaders organizing an in-person religious service:
  • Implement measures to prevent individuals from congregating in lobbies or meeting areas where a 6-foot distance between household groups is difficult to maintain.
  • Post signage to remind individuals to maintain social distancing when in common areas.
  • Set an established window of time or provide separate entrances for high-risk individuals to enter and exit without pressure from crowds.
  • Provide multiple meeting schedules to accommodate smaller gatherings where social distancing guidelines can be followed.
  • Provide streamed services to households that prefer to participate virtually.