BUNDOORA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
COVID 19 FAQs
Updated 14 April 2021
Sunday Services
Before you come
What time are Sunday services?
Our Sunday services are 9am, 11am or 5pm.
Our 9am & 11am services include Creche, Sunday School and Sunday Youth (Year 7 & 8).
When should I arrive?
Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the 9am/11am/5pm service begins to allow for a smooth flow of entry into the building.
All entering our building will be required to either scan the QR code posters available at our front entrance or manually fill in the contact tracing record available in our foyer (to fulfill Government contact tracing requirements). This together with socially distancing will take additional time.
Do I need to bring anything?
You are welcome to bring a bible/pen/notebook and children’s activities & pencils (for children staying in the service).
Children joining Little Sunday School and Sunday School (Prep to Grade 6) will require pencils/pencil case, a labelled drink bottle and a nut-free snack.
What if I feel unwell on the day?
We ask that anyone with symptoms stay at home and get a Covid-19 test where appropriate. For further details see our FAQ Health Guidelines
During the service
Are there contact tracing requirements?
To fulfill Government contact tracing requirements, QR code posters will be available at our front entrance (location code HRK DCH) for you to scan upon arrival. Alternatively, a contact tracing record available in our foyer may be filled in. Ushers will be present for any assistance required.
How will we be seated?
Our services are held in our auditorium and we ask if 1-2 seats can be kept free between household groups.
Do I need to wear a face mask?
You must carry an approved face mask and when current regulations require a mask to be worn, wear a face mask correctly.
What about Lord's Supper in the church building?
During the Lord’s Supper pre-packaged communion parcels will be available for individuals. A gluten-free option will be available.
Will there be Sunday School?
Term 2 Sunday School begins on Sunday 25th April.
What if my child doesn't feel comfortable attending Sunday School?
Children are welcome to stay in the service with you.
Will there be Sunday Youth?
Term 2 Sunday Youth begins on Sunday 25th April.
Will creche be available?
During the 9am & 11am Sunday services creche is available for 6 months of age up to children too young to attend Little Sunday School (3-4 year old).
Where can I change or feed my baby?
The cry room is located left of the auditorium and has one-way glass windows, a change table and microwave/sink facilities.
The disabled toilet has changing facilities for babies. We will also reserve and partition the preschool play area as a temporary parents’ space, for an overflow area for feeding young babies.
After the service
Will refreshments be served?
Simple refreshments of tea, coffee and a biscuit are available after the service.
We recommend that families bring along nut-free snacks & a drink bottle for children and young ones.
Can my kids play in the indoor playground?
During this time unfortunately the indoor slide is not available for use.
A Covid normal Bundy
Can I go to church to drop off/pick up an item?
During this time we ask if you could please contact the BPC office (office@bpc.org.au or 9017 9037) before entering the BPC building. This is to ensure we may inform you of the necessary contact tracing/cleaning requirements. Conditions of entry apply to all entry and use of the building.
Can I borrow from the church library?
The BPC library is now open for those who wish to borrow books or DVDs. This will run each Sunday between the 9am and 11am services in the hall.
What's the latest advice about restarting church activities?
To view the latest advice from the Victorian Government about religion and ceremony restrictions please visit the following webpage:
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-sector-guidance-other-services
When can Growth Groups meet face to face?
Face to face meetings of growth groups are subject to the same regulations that govern all indoor and outdoor meetings. Some growth groups have already met – whether that is outdoors in groups of up to 100, or indoors of up to 30 (dependent on government restrictions).
It is up to the leaders and the growth group members to decide how and when they want to meet face to face, and also whether they want to continue meeting online.
What about Playgroup, mainly music?
The leaders have been doing a great job in maintaining their ministries this year given constantly changing circumstances. Please contact these ministries for the most up-to-date information regarding their activities.
What about Kids Club?
Kids Club are back to meeting in person on Friday nights, as regulations allow. These meetings follow the same COVIDSafe requirements. For more details, contact our children’s ministry co-ordinator directly at kidsclub@bpc.org.au
What about Youth Group?
Youth group is back to meeting in person as per regulations allow. These meetings follow our COVIDSafe requirements. For more details, contact our youth pastor directly at youth@bpc.org.au
Is there a COVIDSafe plan for Bundy?
Yes, our meetings at Bundoora Presbyterian Church are guided by our COVIDSafe Plan.
How often does cleaning occur?
Cleaning occurs after each service, and any activity within the building.
Who can I contact if I have other questions?
Should you have any other questions please contact us by emailing office@bpc.org.au or phone 9017 9037, and a pastor or one of our staff team will reply to you as soon as possible.
Health Guidelines
What are the Conditions of Entry?
For each person entering our building we ask that they agree to our conditions of entry.
What is our policy?
If you or your children are unwell, especially with flu like symptoms, you must not enter. Isolate yourself and get tested if you have not already done so.
If you are awaiting Covid test results, or are a close contact of a Covid 19 infected person, you must not enter until given the all clear by the Health Department.
What if my child only has mild symptoms?
If the child has even the mildest symptoms they should stay home.
When should I get my child tested?
If your child has any of the following symptoms listed below, even if mild, they should be tested and stay home until they receive their test results.
The symptoms are :
• fever
• chills or sweats
• cough
• sore throat
• shortness of breath
• runny nose
• loss of sense of smell or taste.
In certain circumstances headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also be considered symptoms.
Can they return as soon as they have a negative test result?
No. In addition to the negative test result they need to be symptom free before they come to church. We want to avoid transmitting other upper respiratory tract infections (URTI’s) as well.
What about other children? Can they come with a parent while the ill child stays at home?
Providing the other children are well and the sick child has not had a positive corona virus test, other children can come with a well parent to church. In the event of a positive test the family should follow DHSS guidelines regarding quarantine and isolation.
What about other children while an unwell child is awaiting test results?
The family should follow current DHSS advice. Our understanding is that currently well children do not need to isolate while another child is awaiting test results, and so they can come to church.
“Asymptomatic parents/carers are not required to self-isolate whilst their child is awaiting their swab results, unless they are a close contact of a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19). “
Accessed 23/11/20
Do I need to stay away if I have a runny nose due to hay fever?
No, but you should be confident it is hay fever and not an infection.
Questions to ask are “Is it like my normal hayfever?”, “Do I have accompanying symptoms like itchy eyes?”, “Is it responding to my usual treatments?” If the answer to these questions is yes it increases your confidence that it is your usual hayfever.
But if it is different from usual, or accompanied by fever, or unusual symptoms like cough, or is not responding to your normal treatments, you should go and be tested and wait for results before returning to church.
What about other illnesses?
It is good to remember there are other infectious diseases and we do not want these to spread through church. We should follow the exclusion guidelines used by schools. For example, if your child has symptoms of gastro, you should exclude them from church until there has not been vomiting or a loose motion for 24 hours.
See the “Minimum period of exclusion from primary schools and children’s services for infectious diseases cases and contacts” at https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/infectious-diseases/school-exclusion/school-exclusion-table