;">We recognize the great need for practical guidance for shuls and communi=
ties with regard to the continuing situation surrounding COVID-19. &nb=
sp;With the guidance of our Poskim, HaRav Hershel Schachter =D7=A9=D7=
=9C=D7=99=D7=98=D7=B4=D7=90 and HaRav Mordechai Willig =D7=A9=D7=
=9C=D7=99=D7=98=D7=B4=D7=90, we share the guidelines below.  Plea=
se keep in mind that the situation is evolving at a rapid pace and these gu=
idelines have been drafted with the information and recommendations that we=
have as of now.

=09=09=09=09=09=09

=09=09=09=09=09=09As always, shuls and communities must strictly follow the=
guidelines provided by local and national authorities, including the CDC a=
nd local health departments.  

=09=09=09=09=09=09

=09=09=09=09=09=09Due to the unique social patterns of many of our communit=
ies, where we share daily Tefillah and Shiurim, children’s schools an=
d frequent festive events, we may be exceptionally prone to communal transm=
ission.  As such it may be appropriate for us to adopt an even st=
ricter standard than the authorities require.

=09=09=09=09=09=09

=09=09=09=09=09=09The medical advice we have received and wish to share is =
as follows:

=09=09=09=09=09=09=09
• In communities where there are confirmed cases, it=
  would be prudent to severely limit all public gatherings, and to close shu=
  ls.
  
  =09=09=09=09=09=09=09 

=09=09=09=09=09=09=09
• In communities where there are not as yet confirme=
  d cases, significant restrictions should be placed on how shuls gather.&nbs=
  p; In addition to the known restrictions on attendance for people disp=
  laying symptoms of any kind, as well as individuals considered at greater r=
  isk, shuls should hold multiple minyanim to avoid large crowds and ensure s=
  ignificant spacing between individuals.  

=09=09=09=09=09=09

The above guidance is the=
minimal standard.  The communal rabbi and leadership may assess =
the situation and wish to exercise greater caution and close the shuls.

=09=09=09=09=09=09=09
• In communities where schools have been closed by l=
  ocal government – whether or not there are existing confirmed cases &=
  ndash; children must not get together in homes, parks, or other venues.&nbs=
  p; In these communities shuls should be closed as well.  Not=
  closing the shuls will render the school closures essentially meaningless =
  in limiting communal transmission. 

=09=09=09=09=09=09

;">We are not addressing particulars and shuls may want to look to these ex=
amples for texts that have been utilized by communities across North Americ=
a: M3MTAxODM4MTkS1&b=3D0&j=3DMTY2MzkyNjAzOAS2&mt=3D1&rt=3D0" name=3D"Hyperlink=
_20200313_131627512" target=3D"_blank" >Bergen County, //links.mkt3536.com/ctt?kn=3D3&ms=3DMzE5NjY4MTMS1&r=3DMjM3MTAxODM4MTkS1&b=
=3D0&j=3DMTY2MzkyNjAzOAS2&mt=3D1&rt=3D0" name=3D"Hyperlink_20200313_1316468=
57" target=3D"_blank" >Boston & /ctt?kn=3D7&ms=3DMzE5NjY4MTMS1&r=3DMjM3MTAxODM4MTkS1&b=3D0&j=3DMTY2MzkyNjAz=
OAS2&mt=3D1&rt=3D0" name=3D"Hyperlink_20200313_131703680" target=3D"_blank"=
>Lower Merion.

=09=09=09=09=09=09

=09=09=09=09=09=09The measures that this pandemic have forced us to take ar=
e exceptionally painful.  We are concerned for the threat to our =
health, and we are deeply pained by the absence of Torah and Tefillah from =
so many of our shuls.  We encourage everyone to redouble their ef=
forts in these areas, and to seize this challenge as an opportunity to crea=
te in our own homes a presence of meaningful Tefillah and shared Torah stud=
y.

=09=09=09=09=09=09

=09=09=09=09=09=09We pray together that we soon see an end to this crisis.<=
br />
=09=09=09=09=09=09

=09=09=09=09=09=09The Leadership of the Orthodox Union and the Rabbinical C=
ouncil of Americasize: 14px;">

;">

;">We recognize the great need for practical guidance for shuls and communi=
ties with regard to the continuing situation surrounding COVID-19. &nb=
sp;With the guidance of our Poskim, HaRav Hershel Schachter =D7=A9=D7=
=9C=D7=99=D7=98=D7=B4=D7=90 and HaRav Mordechai Willig =D7=A9=D7=
=9C=D7=99=D7=98=D7=B4=D7=90, we share the guidelines below.  Plea=
se keep in mind that the situation is evolving at a rapid pace and these gu=
idelines have been drafted with the information and recommendations that we=
have as of now.

=09=09=09=09=09=09

=09=09=09=09=09=09As always, shuls and communities must strictly follow the=
guidelines provided by local and national authorities, including the CDC a=
nd local health departments.  

=09=09=09=09=09=09

=09=09=09=09=09=09Due to the unique social patterns of many of our communit=
ies, where we share daily Tefillah and Shiurim, children’s schools an=
d frequent festive events, we may be exceptionally prone to communal transm=
ission.  As such it may be appropriate for us to adopt an even st=
ricter standard than the authorities require.

=09=09=09=09=09=09

=09=09=09=09=09=09The medical advice we have received and wish to share is =
as follows:

=09=09=09=09=09=09=09
• In communities where there are confirmed cases, it=
  would be prudent to severely limit all public gatherings, and to close shu=
  ls.
  
  =09=09=09=09=09=09=09 

=09=09=09=09=09=09=09
• In communities where there are not as yet confirme=
  d cases, significant restrictions should be placed on how shuls gather.&nbs=
  p; In addition to the known restrictions on attendance for people disp=
  laying symptoms of any kind, as well as individuals considered at greater r=
  isk, shuls should hold multiple minyanim to avoid large crowds and ensure s=
  ignificant spacing between individuals.  

=09=09=09=09=09=09

The above guidance is the=
minimal standard.  The communal rabbi and leadership may assess =
the situation and wish to exercise greater caution and close the shuls.

=09=09=09=09=09=09=09
• In communities where schools have been closed by l=
  ocal government – whether or not there are existing confirmed cases &=
  ndash; children must not get together in homes, parks, or other venues.&nbs=
  p; In these communities shuls should be closed as well.  Not=
  closing the shuls will render the school closures essentially meaningless =
  in limiting communal transmission. 

=09=09=09=09=09=09

;">We are not addressing particulars and shuls may want to look to these ex=
amples for texts that have been utilized by communities across North Americ=
a: M3MTAxODM4MTkS1&b=3D0&j=3DMTY2MzkyNjAzOAS2&mt=3D1&rt=3D0" name=3D"Hyperlink=
_20200313_131627512" target=3D"_blank" >Bergen County, //links.mkt3536.com/ctt?kn=3D3&ms=3DMzE5NjY4MTMS1&r=3DMjM3MTAxODM4MTkS1&b=
=3D0&j=3DMTY2MzkyNjAzOAS2&mt=3D1&rt=3D0" name=3D"Hyperlink_20200313_1316468=
57" target=3D"_blank" >Boston & /ctt?kn=3D7&ms=3DMzE5NjY4MTMS1&r=3DMjM3MTAxODM4MTkS1&b=3D0&j=3DMTY2MzkyNjAz=
OAS2&mt=3D1&rt=3D0" name=3D"Hyperlink_20200313_131703680" target=3D"_blank"=
>Lower Merion.

=09=09=09=09=09=09

=09=09=09=09=09=09The measures that this pandemic have forced us to take ar=
e exceptionally painful.  We are concerned for the threat to our =
health, and we are deeply pained by the absence of Torah and Tefillah from =
so many of our shuls.  We encourage everyone to redouble their ef=
forts in these areas, and to seize this challenge as an opportunity to crea=
te in our own homes a presence of meaningful Tefillah and shared Torah stud=
y.

=09=09=09=09=09=09

=09=09=09=09=09=09We pray together that we soon see an end to this crisis.<=
br />
=09=09=09=09=09=09

=09=09=09=09=09=09The Leadership of the Orthodox Union and the Rabbinical C=
ouncil of Americasize: 14px;">

;">