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Update on the Vaccine Mandate: 10-26-2022

State of Emergency Ending
Governor Jay Inslee will lift the state of emergency related to COVID-19 in the state of Washington on Monday, October 31, 2022. Once this order is lifted, the vaccine mandate for workers and volunteers in an educational setting will no longer be enacted. This means a COVID-19 vaccination is no longer a condition of employment. Additionally, schools and parishes no longer need to use the attestation form or track vaccination status of workers and volunteers.

COVID-19 Still Present
While the state of emergency will be over, it is important to remember that COVID-19 is still present in our communities and the risk of catching the virus remains. The case counts and death rates from COVID-19 are still many times more severe than any flu season on record.  Please remember the best way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus is by limiting close contact, which is an interaction with an infected person within six feet for a total of 15 minutes. 

There are several ways to mitigate the risk of the coronavirus, including: wearing masks, keeping physical distance, introducing fresh air, reducing the amount of time people are together, keeping current on vaccinations and testing.
We encourage parishes and schools to make decisions about COVID safety and mitigation options at the local level based on pastor and principal discretion. ​

For more COVID guideline information, visit the Archdiocese of Seattle webpage.
Actualización sobre el mandato de la vacuna para el COVID-19:
10-26-22

Fin del estado de emergencia de el COVID 19
El gobernador Jay Inslee levantará el estado de emergencia relacionado con COVID-19 en el estado de Washington el lunes 31 de octubre de 2022. Una vez que se levante esta orden, el mandato de vacunación para trabajadores y voluntarios en el ambiente educativo ya no tendrá efecto.  Esto significa que una vacuna COVID-19 ya no es una condición de empleo. Además, las escuelas y parroquias ya no necesitan usar el formulario de certificación o verificar el estado de vacunación de los trabajadores y voluntarios.

COVID-19 aún está presente
Si bien el estado de emergencia habrá terminado, es importante recordar que COVID-19 todavía está presente en nuestras comunidades y el riesgo de contraer el virus permanece. El recuento de casos y las tasas de mortalidad por COVID-19 siguen siendo muchas veces más graves que cualquier temporada de gripe registrada.  Recuerde que la mejor manera de prevenir la propagación del coronavirus es limitando el contacto cercano, que es una interacción con una persona infectada dentro de los seis pies durante un total de 15 minutos. 
Hay varias formas de mitigar el riesgo del coronavirus, que incluyen: usar máscaras, mantener la distancia física, introducir aire fresco, reducir la cantidad de tiempo que las personas están juntas, mantenerse al día con las vacunas y las pruebas. Alentamos a las parroquias y escuelas a tomar medidas sobre la seguridad COVID y las opciones de mitigación a nivel local según la discreción del pastor y el director.
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The Faith Formation and Youth Ministry teams have developed guidance to ensure we can continue with our mission of teaching the faith while keeping everyone safe and healthy. Please review this letter, which provides guiding principles to support your efforts in reopening your programs safely.
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Common Questions & Answers 

I would like to get some clarity of the most recent COVID - 19 guidance that was sent out about those in Faith Formation when it comes to a vaccination mandate for all persons working within Faith Formation ministry. Do they all need to be fully vaccinated? 
  • Yes. Anyone at the parish with close contact with children needs to be vaccinated.
Does the deadline set for staff to get vaccinated in October apply also to volunteers?
  • Yes
How do we keep records for volunteers? 
  • A log is to be kept with name, dates of vaccine, and date verified. No need to retain medical records.
The wording in the guidance PDF is inconsistent with the C2P text. Is this mandate coming from the archdiocese or the State? 
  • The text is coming from the Archdiocese. The State mandate to the schools. We are extending that to all those with close contact with children. We are also extending it to Catholic Charity Services' workers who work with vulnerable populations. This is an evolving discussion and it may extend further as we continue to look at data and consider our various ministries.
Can staff contact the Task Force or the Archbishop's office directly? ​
(September 7-2021)
Guidance for Faith Formation UPDATED 8-20-21
Based on the recent guidance, the Faith Formation team created this document especially for faith formation programs. Please share this with your faith formation teams. For quick reference, please refer to the table below for faith formation programs and sacramental preparation guidelines.
Based on the Governor’s vaccination mandate for all schools, the Archdiocese of Seattle has extended this to parish staff and volunteers who regularly interact with children. This would include in-person faith formation activities.
We recommend that pastors and principals connect on the guidance to discuss the parish and school campus as a whole and determine the best practice for your location. 

Ultimately, all efforts should be focused on providing a safe environment that minimizes “close contact,” promotes mask wearing, has good ventilation, encourages good hand hygiene and requests people stay home if they aren’t feeling well. 
Guía Covid 19 Para Las Actividades De Formación De La Fe  ACTUALIZADO 8-20-21
Después de las actualizaciones del grupo de trabajo arquidiocesano COVID 19, presentamos un resumen de cómo estas reglas se aplican a los programas de formación de la fe y la preparación sacramental. 
​Haga Clic Aquí
Según el mandato de vacunación del gobernador para todas las escuelas, la Arquidiócesis of Seattle ha extendido esto al personal de la parroquia y a los voluntarios que interactúan regularmente con los niños. Este incluiría actividades de formación en la fe en persona.
Due to the risks of the Delta variant and our desire to protect our children and the vulnerable in our communities, we are recommending mask wearing during indoor Mass celebrations. Please note that all altar servers must wear a mask. UPDATED 7-29-21
MAY 2021 COVID GUIDANCE RECAP
This document is a compilation of the guidance from the COVID Guidance Newsletters. Each item is dated to make clear when the guidance was issued. 
GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING IN - PERSON PROGRAMS
(Continue offering virtual/online classes for those who cannot participate in person.)
UPDATED 8-20-21​
FF PROGRAMS K-12
(These guidelines are based on current CDC and governor's guidelines for school age children)
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION AND
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
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  • Capacity is "recommended" at 50% of the hall or meeting room total capacity and continue to keep safe distance (at least 6 ft.)
  • If a school classroom is used, follow the protocol established by the Catholic School.
  • Reduce the length of meetings/classes to 1 to 2 hours with a break.
  • Maintain sanitization stations and promote frequent hand washing.
  • Facial coverings are required for everyone over the age of 5 and older when having classes, events and meeting indoors. This includes teachers, event leaders, parents, volunteers, and students.
  • Maintain small groups with people from different households distances from each other.
  • ​If possible, maximize the use of outdoor activities.
  • It is recommended that events do not have food as part of the program.
  • ​People must screen themselves for symptoms.
  • Parish staff/volunteers will not be checking people's vaccination status.
  • Capacity is "recommended" at 50% of the hall or meeting room total capacity.
  • If a school classroom is used, follow the protocol established by the Catholic School.
  • Reduce the length of meetings/classes to 1 to 2 hours maximum.
  • Facial coverings are required for everyone participating in classes, events, and meetings indoors.
  • Maintain small group gatherings with people from different households distanced from each other.
  • Maintain sanitization stations and promote frequent hand washing.
  • If it is possible, maximize the use of outdoor activities.
  • It is recommended that events do not have food as part of the program.

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