Grace (S.C.C.) Church Advisory Notes on
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Situation
Updated: 19 Mar 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Last Sunday, we have informed you that there was a confirmed COVID-19 patient from the GKY worship service (case #225). He attended GKY worship service at Grace Church on 8 March 2020 afternoon, display symptoms on 9 March and was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on 15 March morning.
In the last 4 days, there were 2 other cases (case #237 and #294) that were linked to #225. Contact tracing history shows that they were likely to be infected at the private dinner outside church premises, held after the worship service.
NEA has contacted GKY on 16 March and requested them to carry out disinfection of the church premises. Church admin office has sourced and engaged a vendor (listed in NEA website) on 17 March to disinfect level 1 and level 2 areas where the patients had been.
GKY worship services have been suspended since 15 March until further notice.
After thorough decontamination, the deacon board has assessed the situation and deem the risk of contamination from the confirmed cases in GKY is low – Patient 1 (Case #225) who was in Jakarta from 3-7 March, attended GKY Service @ Grace Church on 8 Mar (between 2 to 6pm) before he developed symptoms. After the GKY Service on 8 Mar, Church was closed and normal cleaning (with additional measures since late Feb) started on 9 Mar and continue throughout the week. The contamination risk is hence low before 14 Mar CC Sat Service.
After consultation with our Pastoral Team, the Deacon Board has decided that Church Services for this Saturday (21 Mar) and Sunday (22 Mar) will continue as normal. However, members who have health concerns or prefer to refrain from mass gathering, please join us in the live stream service.
In addition, we will be adding the following measures in addition to those published on 4 March 2020.
- Due to the spike of imported case, we are requesting those who have returned from overseas on or after 14 March not to attend church worship services or activities for 14 days following their return. Day 0 (zero) of the 14 days begins on the date of their return to Singapore.
- For those who attend the service in church, please follow the usher instructions for seating arrangement (maximum 6 persons for long pew and 3 to 4 persons for short pews). For youth service, please do keep seats reasonably apart where possible.
- Due to the possibility of contracting COVID-19 in any mass gathering, brothers and sisters can wear masks if you want to come to the on-site worship. The church keeps a small number of masks, you may request for one if there is a need.
For those who attend the live stream service, please be reminded that you are also worshiping our Lord with those in church. Your mind and soul should be focusing on God.