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At the October 7, 2021 Glen Morris United Church (GMUC) Official Board meeting, a resolution was adopted that attendees at all church services, gatherings and events at the church must be fully vaccinated in order to enter the church building (with limited exceptions). This policy is based upon the principle that our Community of Faith has a responsibility to keep its employees, lay staff, congregants and visitors as safe as possible during the COVID 19 pandemic. Proof of vaccination is a program that complements existing provincially mandated Step 3 COVID-19 restrictions already established at GMUC in a separate policy.

PROCEDURE:

Commencing on November 1, 2021 on a voluntary basis, then starting November 14, 2021 on a mandatory basis, all attendees wishing to enter the church building for any gathering or event, including but not limited to services of worship, meetings, rentals including weddings, funerals and social events must provide:

- the proof of being fully vaccinated, and

- the required proof of identity.

The church organization must provide properly trained staff to review and confirm the proof of full vaccination status, and the proof of identity as provided by individuals, with the limited exceptions noted below. In the case of rentals or meetings, the individual responsible for organizing the rental or meeting will be charged with this responsibility.

No record of the provided proofs noted above will be kept by the church, the meeting secretary, nor the rental organization.

DEFINITIONS OF “FULLY VACCINATED”:

An individual is considered fully vaccinated, in accordance with Ontario Reg. 364/20 if they have received the full series of a COVID-19 vaccine or a combination of COVID-19 vaccines as authorized by Health Canada. The individual must have received their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before providing the proof of being fully vaccinated.

PROVIDING PROOF of VACCINATION:

The certification process requires that all attendees present a valid provincial or federal QR code, or a vaccination receipt confirming full vaccination. These items must include key information about each vaccination event, including the individual’s name, date of birth, the number of doses received, the date(s) of vaccination(s), and product name of the vaccine(s) received. Acceptable vaccination receipts include those issued by the Ontario government, a receipt signed by an Indigenous health provider, a CAF (Canadian Armed Forces) proof of vaccination, or a receipt from another jurisdiction.

PROVIDING PROOF OF IDENTITY:

Validation of identification must also be undertaken to ensure that the proof of vaccination offered by the individual belongs to them. Validation will be based on two key identifiers:

1. Name of the identification holder; and
2. Date of birth of the individual.

Proof of identity can be established using documentation issued by a governmental body, provided it includes the name of the holder and the date of birth. A photo identification is not required.  

Those aged 12 – 21 do not have to present any proof of identity (only valid proof of vaccination).

EXCEPTIONS TO GMUC VACCINATION POLICY

The following individuals are exempt from this GMUC Vaccination Policy:

- Those under 12 years of age,
- Those who provide a written document, completed and supplied by a physician or a registered nurse in the extended class, that sets out, in accordance with the Ontario Ministry of Health guidance in subsection 4, a documented medical reason for not being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and the effective time-period for the given medical reason. Those with a medical exemption must provide a written negative rapid antigen COVID-19 test result performed within 72 hours of their visit to the church.

IMPLEMENTATION DATES

Between November 1 - 13, 2021 individuals wishing to enter the church building will be expected to show the necessary documents to provide proof of vaccination. If they vouch that they are fully vaccinated but do not possess the documents at the time, they may enter the building, but will be reminded to bring their documents on future visits. If they confide that they have not been fully vaccinated, they may not enter the building. Such individuals should be advised that church services are provided on a streaming service that can be readily accessed in the community.

Starting on November 14, 2021, if an individual wishing to enter the church building cannot provide the necessary documents to provide proof of full vaccination, they may not enter the building. Such individuals should be advised that church services are provided on a streaming service that can be readily accessed in the community.

MONITORING

The Reopening Committee will be responsible for monitoring this program and recommending changes to the Official Board as warranted.

SPECIAL NOTE: If you are not vaccinated, we invite you to join us online for worship, by accessing the zoom link available for each week's service as posted on this website.

October 20, 2021

If you have any questions or concerns please contact any member of the Reopening Committee by emailing glenmorris.uc@gmail.com

Reopening Committee:  Dr. Robert Williams, Deb Fraser, Munro Fraser, John Graham, Meghan Gilholm