New COVID Safety Guidelines

The COVID Management Team (the “CMT”) met on March 7 to review Havurah’s COVID Safety Guidelines in light of – 

• significantly reduced community transmission and hospitalizations related to COVID 19, and
• updated guidance from the CDC, Oregon Health Authority, Multnomah County, and Portland Public Schools.

After much input and discussion, the CMT agreed to the changes listed below, which follow guidance from health authorities and are unanimously supported by the medical and public health professionals on the CMT. The updated Havurah COVID Safety Guidelines reflecting these changes can be found on our website, on the home and CMT pages. 

The list below summarizes the protocols and precautions we are keeping in place and the guidelines we are changing. Some of these changes are significant and we understand that they may raise questions and concerns. However, we are confident that the time is right to ease our COVID-19 guidelines and continue our path towards less restricted in-person gatherings.  

1) Maintain a list of preliminary questions to keep people who are symptomatic out of the building. The list has changed somewhat, but we remain committed to making every effort to prevent those with COVID-like symptoms from attending Havurah events in person. People with symptoms will continue to be encouraged to participate via Zoom or livestream options when available.

2) Maintain our vaccination and testing requirements. Anyone participating in a Havurah event or activity must be fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID test prior to participating in a Havurah event. This requirement will continue to be implemented on an honor system.

3) Maintain Zoom streaming expectation for services. Even as we open our sanctuary to more in-person services, activities, and events, the guidelines continue to require that arrangements be made to stream services, including B’nei Mitzvah, in order to maximize access to all members of our community.

4) Maintain our request that air purifiers be used in indoor space. We will continue to encourage and use air purifiers in indoor spaces and ask that windows and doors be open (when safe and appropriate) to promote air circulation.

5) Masking “optional” indoors and outdoors. Effective March 12, masks will not be required in the building, EXCEPT that masks are required for persons in the building within 10 days of a positive COVID test, and

• Purim will be a "masks-required" event
• Shabbat School will be
  - Masks optional outdoors starting March 12
  - Masks required indoors through the April 2 session of Shabbat School
  - Masks optional indoors and outdoors on and after April 9 unless a different rule is put in place before that date

​​​​​We encourage those choosing to wear masks to wear a KN95, KF94, or N95 mask, and Havurah will continue to have KN95 masks available in the building.

Havurah will broadly communicate that all are welcome to continue to wear masks for as long as they like, and we will encourage our community to be understanding, supportive, and kind to all members with respect to their individual masking decision.

6) Social distancing. Effective March 10, there are no more social distancing requirements. Members should be respectful of everyone’s personal choice with respect to social distancing and seek consent before initiating a hug or other close, personal contact.

7) Attendance and contact lists. Effective March 10, COVID-related attendance and contact lists will no longer be required at Havurah events or Shabbat School.

8) Notification requirements. Unless otherwise requested, attendees at Havurah events (services, B’nei Mitzvah, classes, etc.) are no longer required to notify Havurah staff if they test positive for COVID within 14 days of the event or activity.

9) Occupancy limits. Effective March 10, all COVID-related occupancy limits are eliminated.

10) Eating and drinking in the building. Effective March 12, unmasked eating and drinking is permitted in the building, EXCEPT that:

• The kitchen remains closed due to construction and therefore eating and drinking must be limited for now.
• Those seeking to have food-related activities in the building must be in close contact with the Havurah office to work out logistics.

As always, the COVID Management Team is here to answer your questions and address your concerns. Please reach out to us by email at info@havurahshalom.org. Your email will be shared with the entire group and a member of the CMT will get back to you.

 – Havurah COVID Management Team