Revised COVID Guidelines – April 18, 2022

The Combined COVID-19 Task Force (TF) has updated the TBO COVID-19 protocols and the Governing Board (GB) has voted to approve these recommendations. The revised recommendations outline how our congregation can safely gather now that statewide mask mandates have been lifted and health official guidelines have reduced restrictions as a result of decreased case numbers, rates of hospitalization, and deaths.  Required precautions will be tied to Snohomish County case rate figures (new cases per day per 100,000 population). If this value is at or below 25, these updated protocols will be in effect.  If the value exceeds 25 new cases per day per 100,000 population or other considerations warrant it, more protective measures may be necessary.

Based on the information on the Snohomish County Health Department website on Monday, April 18, the services this Saturday, April 23 will fall under the new protocol, described below. In short, this means that we will be having mask-optional services, that members do not need to pre-register, and that we will be having a Passover friendly oneg, following our services.
More complete information is summarized below and the full recommendations can be found at templebethor.org/covid.
GENERAL:
  • Protocols will be re-assessed and reviewed frequently and may change as warranted as conditions change.
  • Anyone not feeling well or experiencing symptoms should not attend in-person services, activities, or events.
  • TBO will continue to encourage and support vaccination and booster shots for all who are eligible.
  • The metric that we will be using to determine the mode of operation is the Snohomish County Health Department new cases per day per 100,000 population. If this value is at or below 25, these updated protocols will be in effect. If the value exceeds 25 new cases per day per 100,000 population or other considerations warrant it, more protective measures may be necessary. this case information is available at http://www.snohd.org/546/Local-Case-Counts.
  • Religious School (RS) will continue to follow the protocols that have been in place (including masking, symptom checks, and distancing) through the end of the school year. Others at the Temple during RS will also follow the RS protocols, including refraining from eating and drinking at the Temple.
  • In addition to in-person services, we will continue to offer services and congregational meetings virtually whenever possible.
FOR ALL:
  • Masking will be optional during non-RS hours. Making this choice will be an individual decision and those choosing to continue wearing masks will be respected.
  • Sign in and out will be required for safety and security reasons, as well as contact tracing.
  • Appointments are not required for using the building. During office hours, advanced notification of building access is requested for safety and security reasons.
  • Social distancing will not be enforced, limits on numbers of attendees at services will not be restricted due to COVID-19. (Fire code restrictions and other appropriate number limits will still apply.)
  • Kiddush and oneg will be allowed at services.
FOR MEMBERS:
  • Pre-registration will not be required to attend services.
  • All attendees will need to be fully vaccinated and boosted OR fully vaccinated and have a negative COVID-19 test. (See full recommendation for specifics.)
FOR NON-MEMBERS:
  • Pre-registration will still be required.
  • Proof of vaccination and booster will be required in advance.
OFF-SITE ACTIVITIES:
  • Protocols will be set by the event coordinator.
  • Protocols will be clearly communicated to participants so they can make informed decisions about attending.
If you have any questions about these protocols, contact Melanie Field or Wanda Bresnick.