Re-opening News and Information

January 5, 2022

The current guidelines will remain in place until the rolling 7- day average of the overall test positivity rate is 5.5% or less in Mecklenburg County.  The Re-Opening Task Force continues to reevaluate guidelines as needed.  

With the positivity rate increasing in Mecklenburg County, the Re-Opening Task Force has made several changes to our current guidelines. Covenant’s campus continues to remain open with the following guidelines (changes to the guidelines are in bold):

 WORSHIP SERVICES

• Four worship services are available each Sunday morning – 9:30am and 11am in our Sanctuary, 8:45am traditional service in the Chapel and 11am contemporary service in the Fellowship Hall.
• Seating will be on every pew for the Chapel and Sanctuary services.
• The preaching minister can remain unmasked while in the lectern, but must wear a mask at all other times during the service. While unmasked, the minister must maintain a distance of at least 20 feet from the congregation.
• Masks continue to be required for all indoor spaces for anyone five years of age and older. 
• Online worship experiences will continue for both the 9:30am and 11am Sanctuary services.

 Choir / Worship & Arts Team

• Singers and instrumentalists must be masked at all times wearing N95 or KF94 masks at all times.
• If wind instruments are used, they should be filtered in the bell and the instrumentalist must show proof of vaccination
• Participants must also show proof of vaccination to a designated person before singing.
• Rehearsals can take place in the Choir Room with open windows OR in the Chapel with N95 or KF94 masks being worn at all times.

 SUNDAY SCHOOL

• Sunday School programs for infants through high-schoolers will continue to be offered at 9:30am and 11am on Sunday mornings.
• Adult Sunday School meetings take place on campus beginning at 8:30am on Sunday mornings.

INSIDE USAGE

• All participants five years of age and older are required to wear a mask while inside buildings and strongly encouraged during outside gatherings.
• Current hours available for inside meetings: Monday through Friday: 7am – 5pm, Sunday: 8:30am – 12noon.
• Administrative staff can begin to take reservations for outside groups to use facilities beginning in January.

 RECREATION WING

• 50 participants are welcome in the building at any given time, with 25 participants allowed per class/activity on the gym floor.
• Masks are required for all participants five years of age and older while in the Recreation Wing
• No locker room shower usage at this time.
• A reservation is required.
• Recreation Wing hours: Monday through Thursday 8am – Noon and 2pm – 7:00pm and Friday 8am -12noon. This excludes scheduled league basketball and practice games.

FOOD SERVICES

• Food and drink consumption are limited to outdoor activities only until further notice. Grab & Go Meals will be available on Wednesday evenings.

 GENERAL GUIDELINES

• To reserve a meeting space on campus, please complete a facility reservation form link
• Overnight trips may occur if:
• The rolling 7-day average of the overall test positivity rate is 5.5% or less in Mecklenburg County and it is determined at least 7 days prior to the event date.
• Trip leaders must have proof of COVID vaccination for all participants.

All participants must provide proof of a negative COVID test (Rapid Antigen or PCR) taken three days before the event departure.