NSW Government

Places of worship | COVID-19 Safety Plan

Resources and guidance for developing a COVID-19 Safety Plan for your church, meeting house, mosque, synagogue, temple or other place of worship.

Effective 18 October 2021

How to complete the COVID-19 Safety Plan

Record the action/s you will put in place under all the Safety Plan sections:

  • wellbeing of staff and customers
  • physical distancing
  • ventilation
  • hygiene and cleaning
  • record keeping.

Each requirement must be addressed in each section by briefly telling us how you will put these practices into place.

Once you complete the COVID-19 Safety Plan, a confirmation email will be sent to you with a copy of your plan attached as a PDF. 

To complete the COVID-19 Safety Plan offline, print a blank copy of the form using the print button.

Remember to keep a copy of your COVID-19 Safety Plan on your premises at all times.

Business details

If your business has multiple premises, complete a Safety Plan for each location. Provide contact details for the person responsible for the COVID-19 Safety Plan at each location.
Full name

Requirements for business

Exclude staff and congregants who are unwell from the premises.

Provide staff with information and training on COVID-19, including COVID-19 vaccination, when to get tested, physical distancing, wearing masks and cleaning.
Display conditions of entry including requirements to stay away if unwell and record keeping.

Capacity must not exceed one person per 4 square metres of space in indoor areas of the premises and one person per 2 square metres of space in outdoor areas of the premises.

Ensure 1.5m physical distancing where possible, including:

  • at points of mixing or queuing
  • between seated groups
  • between staff.

Avoid congestion of people in specific areas where possible.

Have strategies in place to manage gatherings that may occur immediately outside the premises, such as at the conclusion of services.
Choirs at a place of worship or in a religious service must not exceed 10 persons. All members of the choir must be fully vaccinated or have a medical exemption.

Singing by congregants is not allowed in indoor areas.

Review the 'COVID-19 guidance on ventilation’ available at https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/getting-back-to-work-a-covid-safe-way/ventilation-guidance and consider which measures are relevant to your premises before completing this COVID-19 Safety Plan.
Use outdoor settings wherever possible.

In indoor areas, increase natural ventilation by opening windows and doors where possible.

In indoor areas, increase mechanical ventilation where possible by optimising air conditioning or other system settings (such as by maximising the intake of outside air and reducing or avoiding recirculation of air).
Ensure mechanical ventilation systems are regularly maintained to optimise performance (for example through regular filter cleaning or filter changes).
Consider consulting relevant experts such as building owners or facility managers, ventilation engineers and industrial or occupational hygienists to optimise indoor ventilation.

Face masks must be worn by staff and customers in indoor areas, unless exempt.

Adopt good hand hygiene practices. Have hand sanitiser at key points around the venue.

Ensure bathrooms are well stocked with hand soap and paper towels or hand dryers.

Clean frequently used indoor hard surface areas (including children’s play areas) at least daily with detergent/disinfectant. Clean frequently touched areas and surfaces several times per day.

Use the NSW Government QR code system to collect an electronic record of the name, contact number and entry time for all staff, volunteers, visitors and contractors.

Processes must be in place to ensure that people provide the required contact information, such as by checking phones for the green tick to confirm they have checked in (keeping 1.5m physical distance between staff and patrons). QR codes should be clearly visible and accessible including at entrances to the premises.

If a person is unable to provide contact details, for example due to age or language barriers, another person may provide contact details on their behalf. If it is not possible for check-in to occur, keep a record of the name, contact number and entry time for all staff, volunteers, visitors and contractors for a period of at least 28 days. These records must be provided in an electronic format such as a spreadsheet as soon as possible, but within 4 hours, upon request from an authorised officer.

Other types of venues or facilities within the premises must complete COVID-19 Safety Plans where applicable. If contact details are captured electronically upon entry to the main premises on the relevant day, additional collection of contact details via electronic methods may not be required if there is no other public access to the sub-premises. However, additional contact details and time of entry must be captured where these sub-premises are gyms, entertainment facilities, hospitality venues, nightclubs and retail premises.  

Now that you have finished, send the plan as a PDF to the email address you provided.

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