COVID-19 Policies

Our COVID-19 Policies

These guidelines are based on current information we have on the COVID-19 virus as well as creative thinking from our Board.

For updates on the COVID-19 virus and precautions visit: Center for Disease Control, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx

Review our COVID-19 policies below or click here to download our policies.

The Basics

Keep your hands and surfaces disinfected.
-Soap with water is VERY effective.
-When washing hands with soap and water scrub for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available use an alcohol-based hand sanitize. However, if hands are visibly dirty, always wash with soap and water. Please be sure to bring your own sanitizer!
It is good practice to wear gloves, however gloves do not replace proper disinfection procedures. The outside of your glove can still transmit diseases to yourself and others. If you wear gloves, wash after each use.
Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue that fully or tightly covers your mouth.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Maintain at least 6 feet between yourself and other gardeners (as far away as a long-handled garden tool!).
Your garden plot is your personal space, “your home”, and no one but you should be in your plot at any time.
The Garden is a community space and we must follow public policy. So, you must wear a mask as required by the CDC and when others are in the Garden.
When in doubt, STAY HOME! Do not come to the Garden if you are showing symptoms, someone you’ve been in contact with is sick, if you have health conditions, are an older adult or a member of another high-risk population.
Do not eat or drink in the actual Garden space.
Always practice proper hand washing when handling food, as well as before and after eating.
Most importantly, take precautions and do not assume anyone else has followed these guidelines!

Tools & Equipment

Please bring and use your own tools as the garden sheds will be locked.
If you do not have your own tools, please contact Pastor Nathaneil Christman at pastorchristman@gmail.com. Any tools that are provided to you will be your responsibility for the gardening season. At the end of the season any borrowed tools will be returned to the Community Garden or gardener who supplied said tools.
No tools or other personal items should be left in the garden. Gardeners need to take their tools, trash and other items home when they are done for the day.
There will be no hoses available for the 2021 gardening season. Please bring your own watering can. Always thoroughly wipe down the water spigots BEFORE AND AFTER USE.

While at the Garden

Avoid group work while the concern for the virus is highest. Once group work can resume, continue to use the above precautions, including stay apart by 6 feet, bring and wear your own gloves, wash hands thoroughly, and wipe down shared surfaces.
Young children must remain in the family plot while visiting the garden or stay home.
STAY HOME if showing any symptoms or if you’ve been in contact with someone who is sick.
STAY HOME if you are considered more vulnerable to exposure to the virus (older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions). Please ask for assistance in planting/carrying for your plot while risks remain high.

Communications & Meetings

It is our goal to maintain regular and timely communications with you and keep all gardeners up-to-date on guideline. We are available to respond to questions and concerns via email at oglcgarden@gmail.com and we encourage all gardeners to communicate through email at all times.

With the changing times, we will be conducting more virtual get-togethers via Zoom meetings and share remote resources through these meetings and posting on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/CommunityGardenatOakGrove/) and the website.