Health and Safety Guidelines

Hartford Meeting’s Health & Safety guidelines are designed to reflect our care for the community and our concern for vulnerable populations. Taking steps to reduce the risk of spreading illness is one way we take care of each other.

General Recommendations

We recommend, when gathering at the Meetinghouse or in the community, that you keep in mind the best practices for protecting the vulnerable among us. These include staying up to date on vaccinations (e.g., COVID-19, flu, RSV), ventilating and filtering indoor air, using masks, washing hands, and staying home when sick.

Meetinghouse Guidelines

•      Air purifiers are located in all main rooms.

•      If weather permits, windows and doors should be opened during gatherings.

•      Hand sanitizer is available and frequent handwashing is recommended. First Aid kits and Narcan are available.

•      If you have new illness symptoms, especially with known exposure to illnesses like flu, COVID-19, or strep, please do not visit the meetinghouse until you are recovered (see here for NEYM guidance).

Meeting for Worship Guidelines

•      Zoom alternatives will be offered for Meeting for Worship and other events as feasible. If you have any illness symptoms, please plan to join on Zoom.

•      Meeting for Worship may be ended with a handshake, elbow bump, wave, or fist bump.

Mask Policy

•      Masks are not required but may be worn at the discretion of each person.  We welcome and affirm the use of masks. Masks are available at the meetinghouse for anyone who needs them.

•      Childcare helpers and volunteers will continue to wear masks when working with children.

Special Guidance for High Levels of Illness Circulation

When the CDC reports HIGH or VERY HIGH levels of diseases spread through the air (COVID-19, flu, and RSV), either nationwide or in CT, the Meeting will take additional precautions:

·      Request that Friends use masks indoors, if they are able.

·      Move social hour outdoors if weather allows.

·      May require masks for specific events, depending on event details.

COVID-19 Notification and Exposure Guidelines

·      If you or someone in your household tests positive for COVID-19 and you have been in the meetinghouse in the past week, please notify the appropriate contact (e.g., Meeting Clerk, committee clerk) and plan to attend events on Zoom until you have tested negative.

·      If you have been exposed to COVID-19 in the previous week, please test before coming to the meetinghouse (if possible) and wear a well-fitting N95 mask.

Revised June 2025