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Refuge Temple Ministries
Policies and Guidelines for COVID-19*
PDF version of this webpage.
Currently Effective for All Ministry Locations
as of June 2023
The purpose of the following policy and guidelines is to ensure the safety of the congregation and to mitigate the future spread of COVID-19.
*The information provided in the text below is taken from the Centers for Disease Control Website https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ by the RTM Medical Team and presented with minor modifications for ease of use for the RTM Church Community.
Informational Purposes Only
No information in this document, recommendations, or other material found on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Please read the full disclaimer.
Mission Statement:
We are a peculiar people and royal priesthood. We look upon the things of others and not only ourselves. It is vital for all who are eligible to stay up to date related to COVID 19 vaccination. We strive to increase the vaccination rate to 75% ministry-wide for the safety, protection, and edification of the Body of Christ.
Vaccination
Original Vaccine vs. Updated Vaccines
Previous COVID-19 vaccines are called “original” because they were designed to protect against the original virus that causes COVID-19. The original Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use by the FDA in the United States as of April 2023. Updated Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are being used for all age groups.
The updated vaccines are called “updated” because they protect against both the original viral strains that caused COVID-19 signs/symptoms and the Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5. Two COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, developed updated COVID-19 vaccines that became widely available in September 2022.
What You Should Do To Be Considered Up to Date
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Receive the updated vaccine shot of the updated Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
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Based on age, vaccination history, and immune status your physician might recommend more than “one shot”
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Locations on where to find covid19 vaccines: https://www.vaccines.gov/.
Updated Vaccine Eligibility
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Everyone 6 years and older: 1 updated Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
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Persons ages 65 years old and older: May obtain 1 additional dose of the updated Pfizer or Moderna vaccine 4 months after the first updated COVID-19 vaccine.
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Persons 6 months to 4 years old: a total of three vaccines for those who received Pfizer and a total of two vaccines for those who have received the Moderna vaccine.
Let us know that you have been vaccinated by scanning the QR code.
I’ve been vaccinated
Masking Policy
The following people need to wear masks:
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Persons who have not had the updated Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
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Persons engaging in high-risk activities. These include, but are not limited to the following:
-Counselors/Prayer leaders at the altar*
-Security
-Ushers
-Greeters
-RTM transportation drivers
-Passengers of a transportation bus, van, or personal vehicle used on behalf RTM when transporting non-family members
*KN95 grade or higher mask. All other categories may wear surgical-grade masks.
What To Do If Exposed To COVID-19
Close contact is defined as someone who is 6 feet or closer to an infected individual for more than 15 minutes (CDC, 2023).
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Notify the local RTM location using the I’ve Been Exposed QR Code or the https:// link (below).
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Wear a mask for the next 5 days.
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Monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for the next 5 days.
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If no symptoms develop within 5 days from close contact, no need to quarantine if up to date with vaccines.
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Perform self-testing on Day 5.
If you develop symptoms
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Contact your healthcare provider for professional medical advice.
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Begin isolation and get tested. Self-testing at home or PCR testing will suffice.
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Mild symptoms include the following: cough, nausea, vomiting, and sore throat.
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If symptoms are moderate to severe, please seek emergency care. Moderate to severe symptoms include the following: shortness of breath, chest pain, changes in mentation, and fever greater than 101 degrees.
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Isolation should continue until symptoms resolve.
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Notify your local RTM location using the QR code below in the next section, “What to do if tested positive for COVID-19.”
What to do if you test positive for COVID-19
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After a positive test, contact your healthcare provider for professional medical advice (elderly or immunosuppressed may require further treatment).
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Isolate for a minimum of 5 days as long there are NO symptoms and wear a mask for 10 days.
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Isolation may be longer than 5 days based on the severity of symptoms. Return-to-ministry duties are based on:
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symptom improvement
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results of COVID-19 testing
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counsel of the medical ministry personnel
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Notify your local RTM location using the QR code below:
Special Considerations: Choir, H&H, Praise Teams, Baptism, and Communion
Choir Members and Praise Teams
For choir, praise team, or H&H members who have had close contact with persons having tested positive for COVID-19, but the team member:
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has no symptoms
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and is up to date with the latest vaccine
Then, the member:
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should notify the local RTM location using the I’ve Been Exposed QR Code or https:// link (above)
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may attend rehearsal but must wear a well-fitted mask while in attendance
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is not to sing with the choir/praise team in the choir stand or on the platform
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may participate in the pews socially distanced from others and wearing a well-fitted mask
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should perform self-testing for COVID-19 five days after initial exposure. If negative, they may remove their mask
Highways and Hedges Teams
H&H team members should follow the Masking Policy for high-risk activities as applicable.
Baptism and Communion Teams
It is recommended that:
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Those who are performing the baptism should wear an N-95 type mask
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Self-testing is recommended but not required for those being baptized
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Persons being baptized should sign up in advance and it is recommended that they monitor themselves for symptoms prior to the baptism
If a baptism candidate begins having symptoms of COVID-19, it is recommended that they do the following:
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Contact your health provider for professional medical advice
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Notify the local RTM location using the I’ve Been Exposed QR Code or link above
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Quarantine and reschedule their baptism
Questions and Concerns
Please contact your local RTM Church to ask questions, speak about concerns, or seek ministry-related recommendations from one of the saints who are in the medical profession.
DISCLAIMER:
Informational Purposes Only
This document and other information including but not limited to any text, or other material, graphics, or images which are contained in this document or on this website are for informational purposes only.
Not a substitute for professional medical advice
No information in this document, recommendations, or other material found on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new healthcare regimen.