Eastgate Church Byron Bay

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HEALTH AND SAFETY NOTICE REGARDING CORONAVIRUS COVID-19

Cheyne

28 March 9am

Join us on Sundays at 10:30am for our Eastgate Online Service - We will be live streaming each week so you can tune in from home. If you would like to receive email notifications please sign up here.

20 March 9am

ALL WEEKEND SERVICES ARE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

We are working on a live stream for you to attend church from home. Please check back soon for more details.

14 March 11am

THE BELOW ADVICE IS IN RELATION TO EASTGATE CHURCH

With the current outbreak of Coronavirus, we believe it is important that we respond practically and wisely to minimise the spread of this disease. We have considered the recommendations from the Australian Government and Department of Health, along with advice from ACC.

We want to inform you of the following precautionary measures we are taking for Eastgate Church in relation to Coronavirus COVID-19. We would greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation in these matters.

Key Points

  • Our church is gathering as per normal across both campuses.

  • If you or your child are feeling unwell please stay home and rest, seek medical attention and do not attend any church services or gatherings including youth, kids, or lincs groups etc.

  • If you have travelled from mainland China, Iran, Italy or the Republic of Korea within the last 14 days, do not attend.

  • If you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, you should have already received medical attention and been instructed to be in home isolation. Regardless of whether you have, please do not attend.

  • If you have a COVID-19 test result pending, please do not attend.

  • The Australian Government’s advice and information can be found at health.gov.au and also at your state or territory health authority.

  • Our team are monitoring the situation regularly and are following the advice given by relevant health authorities.

  • There will be hand sanitiser at our locations. Hard surfaces will be wiped down regularly.

  • In addition, we ask that you please practice good hygiene by frequently washing your hands with either soap or hand sanitiser and by using good cough/sneeze etiquette.

CHANGES IN CHURCH SERVICES

  • All hospitality services are suspended until further notice, please bring your own water bottle, drink or food. Same for Kids church programs.

  • No communion until further notice.

  • Increase in cleaning of all facilities including bathrooms, kitchens and hard surfaces.

  • Alcohol based hand sanitisers are placed at key locations inside the church.

  • Hand-washing posters placed in bathrooms at both campuses to serve as reminders.

We love our seniors but it is advisable that the elderly and the medically vulnerable should try to stay home for the time being.

These measures are not to cause fear or alarm. We want to reassure you that we are committed to your health and well-being, and will be praying for everyone in our church family. We remain people of faith, with our hope and trust in the Lord.

HOW YOU CAN STAY SAFE

  • Practice good hand hygiene frequently - wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser - posters placed in bathrooms at both campuses to serve as reminders.

  • Practice good cough and sneeze etiquette - into tissues or into elbow. Dispose used tissue appropriately.

  • Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

  • Avoid skin-to-skin contact with one another, such as handshakes or hugs. An elbow bump is a good alternative, or simply a wave.

  • If you or your child is feeling unwell, please stay home and seek medical attention.

As we are heading into autumn (aka cold & flu season) it can be hard to distinguish whether or not you are infected with coronavirus. So the official guideline is:

  1. If you experience any cold & flu symptoms such as fever, headache, cough or difficulty breathing

  2. If you have travelled and returned from overseas in the last 14 days

  3. If you have close or casual contact with a known coronavirus case.

Then you need to self-isolate, and CALL your GP or hospital for the next step before going in as you may need to be tested and they have to be prepared for your arrival.

Jesus said in John 14:27 that "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid".

The Lord knows how it ends, and He has the solutions, let us trust and hope in him. Keep praying for the front line health workers, for the scientists and researchers, and for each other.