Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697629769362.pdf (Antigua and Barbuda)
GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA & BARBUDA Ministry of Social Transformation & Human Resource Development, Youth & Gender Affairs Office of Ecclesiastical Commission of Antigua & Barbuda John Henry Building Popeshead & Dickerson Bay Streets St. John’s, Antigua W.I.
268-562-3588(Office) 268-720-3120 (Mobile) fax: 268-562-5369 email: william.dorsett@ab.gov.ag 14th May 2020 TO: All Churches, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors, Teachers FROM: Office of the Ecclesiastical Commission Ministry of Social Transformation & Human Resource Development, Youth & Gender Affairs & Ecclesiastical Commission SUBECT: COVID-19 Crisis- A State of Emergency in Antigua and Barbuda Church Gatherings Regulations The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda met on Wednesday 6th 2020 and decided to lift the closure on Churches with the opportunity to gather under regulations issued by the Ecclesiastical Commission.
The Ecclesiastical Commission Executive and the Ministry of Health has approved the following regulations, anyone found breaking the rules could be punished with imprisonment or a fine.

This advice is written to help clergy and members return to their churches safely.

It is intended to be helpful and not to put an additional burden on clergy whilst at the same protects both their and others health.

Churches Gathering Regulations: 1.


The diagrams enclosed in the regulations are to be use as a guide to determine how many persons can occupy a building with the implementation of physical/ social distancing.

a.

Diagrams are layout examples of Sanctuaries: i.

Small (not larger than 30’x24’) ii.

Medium (not larger than 60’x40’) iii.

Large (not larger than 120’x70’) iv.


Extra-Large (not larger than 155’x85’) v. Sanctuaries Larger than (Extra-Large) would submit their Implementation & Protocol Plan to the Ecclesiastical Commission.

GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA & BARBUDA Ministry of Social Transformation & Human Resource Development, Youth & Gender Affairs Office of Ecclesiastical Commission of Antigua & Barbuda John Henry Building Popeshead & Dickerson Bay Streets St. John’s, Antigua W.I.
268-562-3588(Office) 268-720-3120 (Mobile) fax: 268-562-5369 email: william.dorsett@ab.gov.ag Social Distancing Protocol 2.

Every Church/ Religious institution permitted by this regulation to operate shall observe the social distancing protocols as follows – a.

Ensure that all members/ parishioners maintain physical distancing of no less than six (6) feet b.
Determine the number of persons that may be permitted inside the sanctuary at any one time by permitting one person for every thirty square feet (30sq.ft) for seating space in sanctuary.

3.

In addition to observing the social distancing protocols, Pastors/Ministers of Churches/ Religious Institutions shall ensure that congregants observe proper sanitation practices and that a.
Hand sanitizer and/or hand washing facilities (a sanitizing station) is available at the entry to the Church/ Religious Institution and sanitary procedures are observed by all.

Wearing of face mask in public 4.

In Accordance with and subjected to the Public Health ACT (Amended) a.

A person shall wear a face mask when in any public place.

b.

No person is permitted to be in any Church/ Religious Institution, or in any street or in any public place without wearing a face mask.
c. Special allowance is granted to Pastors/ Ministers/ Preachers to present their message without the mask but should have a minimum of twelve feet (12’) distance from congregants during their presentations.

d. The installation of Plexiglass as additional layer of safety (where applicable).

Multiple Services 5.

Churches with multiple services are required to: a. after every service to sanitize/ disinfect sanctuary before another service.
b. sanitizing/ disinfecting is to take place after final service/ use of building.

6.

If services are being broadcasted/ streamed; filming should be done either with a fixed camera or by one film crew member assigned to one camera, no rotation of personnel between cameras.

7.

Ringing a bell and/or raising of a flag should only be done if access is on ground level.

8.
8.

If you are using candles then take care not to light them immediately after using hand sanitizer gel, especially if this has alcohol in it.

9.

If you are not the only person accessing the building (for example contractors or cleaners are coming in) then make sure there is a rotation schedule in place, with a written record of who has been in.

10.

Do not share Bibles, prayer books etc.


GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA & BARBUDA Ministry of Social Transformation & Human Resource Development, Youth & Gender Affairs Office of Ecclesiastical Commission of Antigua & Barbuda John Henry Building Popeshead & Dickerson Bay Streets St. John’s, Antigua W.I.

268-562-3588(Office) 268-720-3120 (Mobile) fax: 268-562-5369 email: william.dorsett@ab.gov.ag 11.
If toilets or washing facilities are available, make sure that there are disposable paper towels and that there is plenty of liquid soap.

After use surfaces you have touched should be cleaned in line with Public Health Guidelines.

12.

Special attention should be given to the closing of any doors and windows and lock the church to protect the sanitation integrity after services.
GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA & BARBUDA Ministry of Social Transformation & Human Resource Development, Youth & Gender Affairs Office of Ecclesiastical Commission of Antigua & Barbuda John Henry Building Popeshead & Dickerson Bay Streets St. John’s, Antigua W.I.
268-562-3588(Office) 268-720-3120 (Mobile) fax: 268-562-5369 email: william.dorsett@ab.gov.ag Physical/ Social distancing layout for Churches not larger than 24’x30’ Small This diagram shows the 6’(feet ) all around for personal space Diagram: Small 1/49 24' 718 sq ft 3 0 ' Personnel/ Title Pastor Worship Leader + Singers Musicians Congregants Audio/ Video Technicians Ushers # of Persons 1 1+3 4 17 2 2 30 Total GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA & BARBUDA Ministry of Social Transformation & Human Resource Development, Youth & Gender Affairs Office of Ecclesiastical Commission of Antigua & Barbuda John Henry Building Popeshead & Dickerson Bay Streets St. John’s, Antigua W.I.
268-562-3588(Office) 268-720-3120 (Mobile) fax: 268-562-5369 email: william.dorsett@ab.gov.ag Physical/ Social distancing layout for Churches-Not larger than 60’x40’ Medium This diagram shows the 6’(feet ) all around for personal space Diagram: Medium Personnel/ Title Pastor + Minister(s) Worship Leader + Singers Musicians Congregants Audio/ Video Technicians Ushers # of Persons 1+1 1+4 4 66 4 4 85 Total GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA & BARBUDA Ministry of Social Transformation & Human Resource Development, Youth & Gender Affairs Office of Ecclesiastical Commission of Antigua & Barbuda John Henry Building Popeshead & Dickerson Bay Streets St. John’s, Antigua W.I.
268-562-3588(Office) 268-720-3120 (Mobile) fax: 268-562-5369 email: william.dorsett@ab.gov.ag Physical/ Social distancing layout for Churches-Not larger than 120’x70’ Large This diagram shows the 6’(feet ) all around for personal space Diagram: Large Personnel/ Title Pastor + Minister(s) Worship Leader + Singers Musicians Congregants Audio/ Video Technicians Ushers # of Persons 1+3 1+11 4 198 6 6 230 Total GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA & BARBUDA Ministry of Social Transformation & Human Resource Development, Youth & Gender Affairs Office of Ecclesiastical Commission of Antigua & Barbuda John Henry Building Popeshead & Dickerson Bay Streets St. John’s, Antigua W.I.
268-562-3588(Office) 268-720-3120 (Mobile) fax: 268-562-5369 email: william.dorsett@ab.gov.ag Physical/ Social distancing layout for Churches-Not larger than 155’x85’ Extra Large This diagram shows the 6’(feet ) all around for personal space Diagram: Extra Large GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA & BARBUDA Ministry of Social Transformation & Human Resource Development, Youth & Gender Affairs Office of Ecclesiastical Commission of Antigua & Barbuda John Henry Building Popeshead & Dickerson Bay Streets St. John’s, Antigua W.I.
268-562-3588(Office) 268-720-3120 (Mobile) fax: 268-562-5369 email: william.dorsett@ab.gov.ag Diagram Extra Large #2 Personnel/ Title Pastor + Minister(s) Worship Leader + Singers Musicians Congregants Audio/ Video Technicians Ushers # of Persons 1+3 1+11 4 390 7 8 425 Total