This week, the Executive Committee and Church Council reexamined Plymouth’s Covid response protocols and decided to mirror CDC guidelines and safety standards. Currently, the low-risk, green threshold in the vicinity of Plymouth results in the following standard: “People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.”
As a result of following CDC guidance, masks will be optional during worship at Plymouth beginning this Saturday and Sunday. Boards, committees, and groups meeting at Plymouth should also follow this standard. The exception to this policy is that masks will remain a requirement on the first floor because of children under five who aren’t yet eligible for vaccination. Importantly, we know some members will prefer wearing masks at Plymouth. We believe Plymouth to be a gracious community, and it’s our collective hope that differences will be respected with kindness and hospitality.
Notably, following CDC guidelines brings the real possibility of responsively altering Plymouth’s policies in the future in the event of new data that could produce new recommendations. Updated data metrics are released on the CDC website on Thursdays evenings, making any future changes possible to implement before weekend services. You can view these updates here.
In making this adjustment, we acknowledge this modification will come simultaneously too late and too soon for some among us. We thank you all for your patience, grace, and understanding as we continue to take actions that impact hundreds of people every week. We also want to thank the staff and volunteers who continue to make our Livestream options another real way for our community to connect, worship, and participate in the life of the church.
Finally, the Executive Committee and Church Council want to thank the diligent efforts of the health and safety task force. They have watched and evaluated complex datasets and trends with excellence while also carrying the heavy burden of prioritizing the health of a complex community.
