MEMO
Date: October 6, 2021
To: The Congregation of Life Branch Church
From: Worship Connection Team
Re: Important Update of Covid Guidelines for In-person church services and Proof of Vaccination
PROOF OF VACCINATION:
For In-Person Church Services: As we currently have our church services in a hotel, we are required to follow their Covid guidelines and protocols. This includes requiring Proof of Full Vaccination before entering a church service. (See attached explanation of Proof of Full Vaccination and Valid ID) Please bring your Vaccination record that shows your name, the vaccines received, and the dates they were received, plus a valid ID.
Unfortunately, if you do not have this information with you, you will not be able to attend the church service.
If you do not have a printer, cell phone, or know how to get your vaccine record, please call 1-833-797-7772 or contact the person who helped you book your vaccines. (See information attached)
Employees, Leaders, and Volunteers: We will require proof of vaccination for all activities that require face to face contact with each other, church members, and the general public when you are doing work for the Church.
Please note that we will not be retaining any of the information from your Vaccine Record unless your written consent is given.
We are currently in a modified Phase 5 of the Government of Nova Scotia Reopening Plan
As we follow the Government of Nova Scotia and the Department of Health guidelines for Covid-19 practices, we will continue to make the protection of our most vulnerable - seniors and children under 12yrs old - a priority.
Additionally, Nova Scotia is experiencing a surge of community spread of Covid, especially in our central zone.
For these reasons, we will practice the following:
Masks: For all indoor activities/functions, we will continue to wear masks. A mask must cover your nose and mouth.
Registering: At this time, we will continue to ask that you register for church. Please register for church by Friday morning before the Sunday Service by emailing or calling Ellen Shaw at ellenjshaw@gmail.com or 902-469-9763.
Distancing: Phase 5 states that distancing is no longer required, however, we do encourage you to continue to keep your distance from each other; refrain from hugging and shaking hands. (especially while there is community spread of Covid)
Health Assessments: You could still have symptoms even if you are fully vaccinated. For this reason, we will continue to use a quick health assessment before you enter the church service.
Wash Hands Regularly: As usual, please wash hands or use hand sanitizer regularly.
Singing: Singing is permitted with your mask on.
To Recap for this Sunday morning service:
Please plan to arrive a bit early.
Proof of vaccination will be required before the health check in.
Wear a mask.
If you have any Covid or cold symptoms, please stay home and watch church online.
Thank you!
Please contact Lynn Douglas at ldouglas@ns.sympatico.ca or any of the committee members if you have questions. (Julie Loewen, Anne Freeman, Peter Freeman, Dan Freeman, Gavin McCombie, and Ellen Shaw).
Life Branch Church
Proof of Full Vaccination - Explanation
(Quoted directly from the Government of Nova Scotia website)
Fully vaccinated:
In Nova Scotia, you are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after you have received any 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine or 2 doses of a combination of COVID-19 vaccines accepted by the Government of Canada, 1 dose of Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, or a complete series of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by the World Health Organization.
Anyone who has 1 or 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine that's not approved by Health Canada and the World Health Organization can book an appointment to get 2 doses of the Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna vaccine to be considered fully vaccinated in Nova Scotia.
Optimal vaccine protection:
People who have 2 doses of Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna or AstraZeneca or 2 doses of a combination of Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca are considered optimally protected.
Anyone with 1 or 2 doses of any other COVID-19 vaccine authorized by the World Health Organization or the 1-dose Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine can book an appointment to get 1 dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna vaccine to help provide optimal protection.
Anyone who has 3 doses of any COVID-19 vaccine doesn’t need an additional vaccine dose for optimal protection. They cannot book an appointment for an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Proof of vaccination:
If you get a COVID-19 vaccine in Nova Scotia, your Nova Scotia COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination includes the date, time, location, type, brand, and lot number of COVID-19 vaccine you received. Within the province, you can use your Nova Scotia COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination to show proof of vaccination.
Life Branch Church
Proof of Full Vaccination - Explanation
(Quoted directly from the Government of Nova Scotia website)
To get your Nova Scotia COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination:
If you provide an email when you book your vaccination appointment, you receive a digital copy of your Nova Scotia COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination by email (email is sent from noreply@canimmunize.ca).
If you don’t provide an email when you book your vaccination appointment or you didn’t receive a digital copy of your Nova Scotia COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination by email, call 1-833-797-7772 (Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm) to provide an email or request a copy of your proof of vaccination. You need to call from a Canadian phone number and be in Canada when you call.
You can also get your Nova Scotia COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination online. Make sure you have your Health Card and the email address or phone number you used to book your vaccination appointment.
Acceptable forms of proof of full vaccination:
Original proof of full vaccination records is acceptable in paper and digital formats, as well as clear photos, screenshots, and photocopies.
Acceptable forms of valid ID include:
• drivers license • passport • government issued ID card • health card • birth certificate • student card
References:
https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/vaccine/#proof-of-vaccination
https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/docs/proof-full-vaccination-guide-businesses-en.pdf