Rev. Erik Richtsteig of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Salt Lake City, Utah keeps the congregation informed on how it is keeping parishioners safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ventilation system cycles fresh air into the church space about 20 times per hour. Richtsteig said the staff believes that providing this much fresh air reduces the shared air with others and improves the safety of those gathered in the church. For reference, a room in hospitals that houses contagious patients cycles the air about 12 times per hour.

Face coverings are required in every building on campus. If attending Mass, parishioners may remove their face covering once they are settled in their pew. Parishioners should recover their face when they stand to move around.

Blue painters tape marks the floor of the church space and every other pew is closed to facilitate social distancing.

After every Mass, each pew is sanitized with a bleach solution. High-touch surfaces including door handles and bathroom touch surfaces are sanitized after every Mass and throughout the week.

Access to the Social Hall has been closed.

If visitors are sick, Richtsteig encourages them to stay home. The dispensation from the Sunday obligation is still in effect. The church will continue to provide access to video Masses for the foreseeable future.