Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the Baltimore City Health Department announced a partnership with Johns Hopkins University and Medicine that will advise houses of worship on how to reopen safely during the coronavirus pandemic.
The partnership offers churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and other similar religious facilities of any faith one virtual educational session and in-person, one-on-one guidance to help Baltimore faith institutions comply with the city’s public health mandates.
The sessions can also be used to learn about best practices and receive resources, Scott said in a statement Monday afternoon.
Since March 12, large outdoor and indoor venues such as theaters, concert halls, convention centers, wedding venues, racing facilities, and outdoor entertainment and sporting venues have been allowed to operate at 50% capacity.
The virtual informational session will include the latest CDC guidance, safety actions, health and hygiene practices, cleaning protocol, and guidance for monitoring the wellbeing of congregants.
A date for the initial session has not been announced yet.
Through a pilot program, the Mayor’s Office, Baltimore City and Johns Hopkins health professionals will be paired with faith institutions to perform building walkthroughs and provide individualized guidance to support the development of health and safety protocol for congregants and staff.
–Josalyn Perez