Covid update

BFM COVID-19 INFORMATION

Bethesda Friends Meeting cares deeply about the safety of our members and attenders. 

• COVID-related decisions about our in-person activities are considered by the Ad Hoc COVID Advisory Committee, based on a set of Covid Safety Guidelines approved at Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business on May 1, 2022. 
• These safety guidelines lay out a hierarchy of risk levels, based on indicators provided by the CDC and Montgomery County.
• Each week, a member of the COVID Advisory Committee will check the indicators and report the risk level to committee clerks. 
• The BFM community will be advised via the weekly bulletin of any change in mandatory requirements for in-person meetings. 
• The most recent Risk Level and in-person meeting requirements will also be listed on this web page. 

As of November 16, 2022, we are at BFM risk level 1, which means that Meeting for Worship may be held indoors with no requirements or restrictions other than a recommendation of being vaccinated. 

• This change is based on the criteria & risk level in the BFM Covid Safety Guidelines (pdf). 

The current risk is at Level 1.   At this level, the following rules apply to all in-person activities:

• · In-person Meeting for Worship in the Meetinghouse.
• · Food and drink permitted during fellowship after Meeting for Worship.
• · First Day School activities may be indoors or outdoors.
• · Child Care provided in space below Meeting room.

In-person requirements:

• Masks are no required.
• Full vaccination including booster shots, is recommended. 
• Self screening for Covid symptoms required.
• Sign in with contact information required.
• Prompt notification of a positive Covid test after attending required.

Please send any positive test notification via email to covid.committee@bethesdafriends.org, or call one of the Meeting co-clerks.

• BFM will provide notice to others who attended the same meeting (but will not identify the person testing positive).