The following basic rules for visiting the temple are in place during the pandemic. (Current as of October 2020)
HAND WASHING: Before coming to the temple, wash your hands with soap and water. On entering the temple room, use hand sanitizer.
WEAR A FACE MASK: Your mask protects me, my mask protects you. We are a community that cares about each other. Everyone coming to the temple must bring and wear a face mask; If you are doing service alone, you do not have to wear the mask. However, keep it on and practice physical distancing whenever you are near, talking with, or singing with, others.
If you do not have a face mask, cotton masks are now available for sale in Govinda’s Gift Shop on Sundays, 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm for $3 (reusable) and $1 (single-use). Children over 2 years old should also wear a mask. This is not optional.
PHYSICAL DISTANCING: Maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance when you are around others at the temple.
PERSONS WITH UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS SHOULD SHELTER AT HOME: We urge anyone who is at higher risk of becoming severely ill from COVID-19 to continue sheltering at home, such as senior citizens and anyone with underlying health conditions. You can watch the temple programs online at our YouTube channel to greatly lower your risk of infection.
IF YOU ARE FEELING SICK, STAY HOME: If you or anyone in your household is currently sick, or has recently been sick with a cough, cold, ‘flu, fever, shortness of breath, or any possible COVID-19 symptoms, do not come to the temple for at least 14 days after you and everyone else in your family has recovered.
IF YOU OR ANYONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19, do not come to the temple until you and all of your household members have fully recovered and have subsequently tested negative. Please notify temple authorities if you suspect you are sick with, or have tested positive with COVID-19 within 14 days of visiting the temple.
RETURNING FROM HIGH-RISK AREAS? SELF-QUARANTINE FOR 14 DAYS: If you, or any members of your immediate household, have recently returned from locations with high concentrations of community spread of COVID-19, including international travel, large metropolitan areas or any dark purple counties on this map showing the highest concentration of current COVID-19 cases in the US, self-quarantine for 14 days and do not come to the temple during this time.
ENTRANCE GATE CHECK: When coming to the temple, stop at the front gate to let our guards know the reason for your visit. They may check your temperature with a no-touch thermometer, ask you questions about your health, whether you have been traveling, and may ask for your email address and phone number for contact tracing purposes.
If you are interested in serving as a security guard, especially on weekends, please contact Mukhya D.D. or Tamohara D. via the contact information a the bottom of this newsletter.