By Kathy Chouteau
Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) has announced it’s working with county attorneys to update a June 5 health order requiring religious organizations to collect a list of attendees at services and cultural ceremonies amid the pandemic.
As part of the recent health order, religious services for up to 100 people outdoors and up to 12 people indoors are now permitted.
By requiring list-collection, the health order intended to quickly enable contact tracing should a participant test positive for COVID-19. According to CCHS, health officers are now working to make list-keeping by religious organizations “a recommendation but not a requirement,” per a statement.
“If a participant tests positive for COVID-19, the host will be asked to assist CCHS with contact tracing associated with the gathering,” according to the statement from CCHS.
In its statement, CCHS recommended the continued wearing of face coverings at all times, social distancing, proper hand hygiene and remaining home if sick to help “mitigate the risk of transmission to the greatest extent possible.”
To view the county health order, click here.