COVID Safety Policies

UPDATED POLICIES FOR KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE

(Revised: December 2020, Tevet 5781)

As we enjoy the seasonal reappearance of our cherished congregants, friends and neighbors, let’s also acknowledge that the Corona-19 pandemic is not over.  There have been numerous “surges”, especially in communities where the basic rules were ignored.  We cannot afford complacency in our sheltered and vulnerable senior Century Village community.  Everyone must adhere to the rules.  One misstep in introducing a person with Covid-19 could result in a brushfire that might, chas v’sholom, impact many of our congregants.  Therefore, considering the situation of pikuach nefesh and the Torah obligation to protect our health and that of our fellow Jews, the Shul is obliged to set a policy that protects all our members. 

All individuals returning to our community should follow one of the following pathways, even when returning after a brief stay elsewhere:

a)      In accordance with CDC standards, anyone arriving from out-of-state must self-isolate for 12 days and NOT ATTEND SHUL. This includes outdoor minyanim.

b)     If you want to shorten the self-isolation time, after arriving in Florida wait 5 days and then take a COVID-19 Rapid Test.  When the results come back negative, only then are you welcome to register and engage in the minyanim. 

c)      Anyone who has recovered from a bout of COVID-19 up north is NOT exempt from options a) or b).  There is no proof of a permanent immunity.

In addition, we remind everyone of the basic rules….

·        Individuals who are quarantined due to exposure to a COVID-positive individual should remain at home. Period.

·        Anyone who has fever or respiratory symptoms such as a cough, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath should remain at home. Period. They should NOT COME TO SHUL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

·        EVERYONE MUST REGISTER FOR MINYANIM (or re-register on return from an out-of-State absence).  Registration is best done on the CTO website or by calling the office.  Should COVID strike, chas v’sholom, we must inform all those who were in the minyan and in contact with the potentially affected person. Furthermore, to walk into a minyan without registering poses a potential health risk, might take away a seat from someone registered, or lead to a confrontation when the person is asked to leave.

 ·        Finally, masks that cover the mouth and nose must always be worn in shul, indoors and outdoors, along with social distancing of six feet (and on the grounds of Century Village). 

We strongly recommend the Association minyanim adopt the same policies and procedures. 

Let’s all be safe out here.  Thank you for your understanding and support of those most vulnerable and concerned amongst us.  Let’s pray that this makah (plague) is soon eradicated by the new vaccines. We look forward to a return to normalcy when memos of this sort will be unnecessary.