Updated 7/2/2020
On May 1, as Gov. Tom Wolf announced the areas of Pennsylvania that would move out of the Red (stay-at-home) to the Yellow (caution) phase of mitigation to stop the spread of COVID-19, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi talked with Jessica Price, M.D., the chair of the WPAUMC Abundant Health Team, to assess the situation facing churches.
In the Zoom conversation, they discussed why they recommend that churches hold off on returning to worship in their buildings and instead plan and prepare to ensure the safety of all in their congregations when conditions are right.
The Team recommended all churches wait until at least June 1 to reopen, and do so then only if the area was in a Green phase AND they could meet all state and federal safety guidelines. More detailed guidelines for the Green phase were issued in late May.
This document was added on July 2, 2020.