Covid-19 Advisory

April 18, 2021

Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu  

In accordance with the new mandate by the Provincial Government announced last Friday limiting religious gatherings, we are sorry to inform you that Pickering Islamic Centre will be closed after midnight on Sunday, April 18, 2021, until further notice. As announced earlier, there will be no second taraweeh prayer on Sunday night.

This is a very painful decision and one that was not taken lightly. Our COVID response team reviewed all the options and responses from other masajid over the weekend and concluded this is the only viable option given logistical and safety constraints, and one that is necessary in order to curb the spread of COVID.

While our centre will be closed, inshaAllah we will continue to run our online programs as scheduled. Please visit www.masjid.ca/programs for more details. 

At present, we will continue to offer Funeral and Nikah services by appointment only with a maximum capacity of 10 people.  

This is an incredibly challenging time for our community, but we remain hopeful in the Mercy of Allah Subhanahu wa'tala.  

JazakAllah-u-Khair 

Management

Pickering Islamic Centre
www.masjid.ca

Durham Region Effective Thursday, April 08, 2021 in

Stay Home Order

For more info: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/zones-and-restrictions

 

April 08, 2021

Assalamu Alaikum, 

As per government directives, Durham region will be entering into Stay Home Order on Thursday April 08, 2021. Accordingly, effective Thursday morning Pickering Islamic Centre has made arrangements at the masjid with limited capacity for 5 daily prayers including Jummah prayers. Please register through our website for Friday prayers.

All previous rules will apply, including social distancing, mask usage, and bringing your own prayer mats. As always, please do not come to the masjid if you are exhibiting symptoms, have traveled outside Canada in the last 14 days, or have come in contact with someone who tested positive.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the masjid!

Please visit the Ontario website for more details.

Durham Region Effective Tuesday, Feb 16, 2021 in

Contro - Red

For more info: https://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/10326281-durham-covid-19-stay-at-home-order-to-be-lifted-feb-16/

 

February 15, 2021

Assalamu Alaikum, 

As per government directives, Durham region will be entering into red zone on Tuesday February 16, 2021. Accordingly, effective Tuesday morning Pickering Islamic Centre has made arrangements to re-open the masjid with limited capacity for 5 daily prayers including Jummah prayers. Please register through our website for Friday prayers.

All previous rules will apply, including social distancing, mask usage, and bringing your own prayer mats. As always, please do not come to the masjid if you are exhibiting symptoms, have traveled outside Canada in the last 14 days, or have come in contact with someone who tested positive.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the masjid!

Organized public events, social gatherings and religious services, rites and ceremonies

  • Limits for all organized public events and social gatherings:
    • 5 people indoors
    • 25 people outdoors
  • Religious services, weddings and funerals:
    • 30% capacity indoors
    • 100 people outdoors

PIC Management

Durham Region Effective Saturday, Dec 26, 2020 in

Lockdown

For more info: https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-response-framework-keeping-ontario-safe-and-open#red

Organized public events, social gatherings and religious services, rites and ceremonies

 

  • No indoor organized public events and social gatherings, except with members of the same household
    • Individuals who live alone, including seniors, may consider having exclusive, close contact with another household to help reduce the negative impacts of social isolation
  • Limit for outdoor organized public events and social gatherings, physical distancing can be maintained:
    • 10 people outdoors
  • Limits for religious services rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services, where physical distancing can be maintained (applies in any venue other than a private dwelling):
    • 10 people indoors
    • 10 people outdoors
  • Virtual and drive-in events and religious services, rites or ceremonies permitted

Durham Region Effective Monday, Nov 23, 2020 in

Control – red

For more info: https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-response-framework-keeping-ontario-safe-and-open#red

Organized public events, social gatherings and religious services, rites and ceremonies

  • Limits for all organized public events and social gatherings:
    • 5 people indoors
    • 25 people outdoors
  • Religious services, weddings and funerals:
    • 30% capacity indoors
    • 100 people outdoors
 

PIC – Masjid Usman Reopening Guidelines
Published June 10, 2020

As per City guidelines, the PIC will adapt a Multi-phased plan to re-open the masjid:

Starting from Friday prayers on June 12, 2020, PIC will open for all prayers, Insha’Allah.

We strongly suggest that you have a self-test by visiting the following:

Link: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/

The following safety measures will be in effect and strictly enforced:

  1. Visitors are required to line-up for facility entry adhering to the markings placed outside the mosque in 6 feet intervals.
  1. Attendees must maintain a minimum 6-foot distance at all times including congregational prayers (jamaat).
  1. PIC may screen all attendees for fever using a contactless thermometer.
  1. Senior Citizens (65+) are encouraged to stay home.
  1. Individuals with symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, etc. must refrain from coming to the masjid as they may be denied entry.
     
  2. Individuals at high-risk: those with existing conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, cancer and immune compromised conditions are asked to stay home for their own safety.
  1. All attendees must bring and use their own masks in the facility. Individuals who do not have masks will not be permitted inside.
     
  2. All attendees must bring and use their own prayer-mat for prayers.
     
  3. All attendees must keep their shoes with them at all times (inside prayer hall) in a waterproof shoe bag. Plastic bags may be used for this purpose.
  1. All attendees must have Wudu to avoid using masjid facilities.
  1.  Washrooms are for emergencies only. After use, hands must be washed with soap for a minimum of 20 seconds.
     
  2. Kids up to 13 years of age and those who cannot abide by the relevant instructions, irrespective of age will NOT be allowed in the masjid.
     
  3. There is a MAXIMUM of 65 individuals allowed in the main floor and 56 in the event hall at any given moment to ensure social distancing.
     
  4. Entry to the Masjid will be on a first come first serve basis. Once the maximum occupancy is reached, the doors will be locked. Absolutely no exceptions.
  1.  There is a MAXIMUM of 2 people allowed in the elevator at any given moment.
  1. Masjid attendees are required to adhere to the floor markings throughout the facility and during prayers to ensure social distancing.
  1. Enter the Masjid at your own risk due to pandemic related challenges.
  1. Please refrain from any physical contact, such as shaking hands or hugging, to ensure social distancing.
  1. Please leave immediately after fard prayers as directed by volunteers.
  1. Please cooperate with the parking lot volunteers to maintain a safe strategy.

This document may be modified in compliance with the Govt directive updates. For questions, if any please call PIC Administrator or email him at: [email protected]

Reopening Guidelines - Click Here

PIC – Masjid Usman Covid-19 Safety Plan
Published: November 17, 2020

The PIC-Masjid Usman Covid-19 Safety Plan outlines the details and procedures in accordance with the Ministry of Health. The plan explains the duties and responsibilities of each department and its respective team members. The plan covers the areas of communication, screening tools, risk management, potential case safety protocol, and other resourceful links. In addition, the plan collects data from its visitors, employees, and other on-site workers for contact tracing in case of a outbreak or probable case.

  1. Communicating with the Public & Employees

Pickering Islamic Centre takes priority in educating and spreading awareness in people to keep themselves current with the Covid-19 government guidance. To do so, the following departments will be communicating relevant information to all concerned:

  • Administrator – using social media, email, website and signage:
    • Board of Directors & Trustees
    • Admin Employees
    • Elementary School Principal (BES)
    • Religious School Coordinator
    • Community
  • Religious School Coordinator – using email:
    • Religious School Principals
  • BES/RS Principals – using social media, signage and verbal broadcasts:
    • School Staff & Volunteers
    • Teachers
    • Students
    • Parents
       
  1. Screening for COVID-19

To find out if people/students are healthy when they come to PIC, we will ask everyone basic questions about their physical health and symptoms using the provincial check list of Covid-19 screening tools.

  • Administrator will make current Covid-19 symptoms checklist available for screening to patrons and staff:
    • Electronically for:
      • Board of Directors and Trustees
      • Admin Staff
      • Principal BES
      • Coordinator Religious Schools
      • Website & Social Media
    • Hard copies for:
      • Essential visitors
      • Vendors
      • Contractors
      • Others
    • Signage for people attending:
      • Prayer Services
      • Funeral Services
      • Nikah Services
      • Other Religious Services
         
  • BES and Religious School Principals will follow the same pattern as above with school staff, students, and essential visitors. Temperature checks of teachers and students are additional screening tools available in the school, managed by the Principal. 
  • Frequency of Screening:
    • Daily: Board Members, Staff, Teachers and Students
    • Service Based: patrons of Prayer services, Funeral services, Nikah and other Religious services
  1. Transmission Risk Control

Transmission of virus is the risk we are taking by keeping our doors open. To minimize the risk, we have the following control measurements in place.

  • Masks:
    • People without masks are not allowed to enter
    • Provide free masks to people who show up without it
    • Ensure that the masks are always worn by covering the nose and mouth
  • Maximize social distance and separation:
    • Floor markings every two meters to ensure compliance
    • Posted signs: No handshake, No hugging etc.
    • Created bubbles for students attending and ensure students to remain within their assigned circles
  • Reducing transmission through surfaces and objects:
    • Frequent cleaning
    • Frequent disinfecting of areas likely to have been touched
    • Weekly detailed disinfecting of the facility through fog technology
    • Frequent use of disinfectant wipes by staff and teachers
  • Providing good hand and respiratory hygiene:
    • Installed touchless hand sanitizers on all floors
    • Each class is provided with hand sanitizing bottles
    • Each student, teacher, staff and principal is provided with masks and face shields
  1. What To Do If Someone Is Suspected of the Virus

If someone shows symptoms or is suspected of a potential case, a designated safe isolation area is available in our facility and a checklist with the procedures of what to do is available for all levels of staff/principals.

  • Keep the Isolation Room fully sanitized and ready for use
  • Ensure to have PPE (Masks, Shield, Gloves and Gowns)
  • Call 1-800-841-2729 for guidance and medical help
  • Dispose off used PPE in a safe manner after use

Isolation - School

  • If any student displays symptoms of covid-19, he/she will be placed in the isolation area and parents will be asked to collect him/her as soon as possible.
  • The student will be supervised by a teacher/principal who will have to wear PPE.
  • After the student is collected by the parents, the area will be sanitized.
  • The parents should keep the student at home and if the symptoms continue after 48 hours, then the student should be tested.
  • If the symptoms have been resolved after 48 hours or are improving the student could return to school.
  • A student who is tested, will have to be in isolation until the results are out. In case the test is negative, the student will return to school.
  • If the test is positive, the parents will be advised by the Health Department when the student should return to school.
  • If anyone in a student's household is tested positive, then the student will also have to isolate until advised by the Health Department.
  • The same protocols will apply for teachers and staff.
  • The Public Health Department, through a nurse assigned to Brock Elementary School will inform the school of any positive cases and will be responsible for tracing and advising on any actions that we may be required to follow. As such, it is important that records be kept of visitors, vendors and contractors etc.

Contact including contact tracing information for local public health unit:
 

  • Parents, teachers or anyone can seek advice or get their questions answered on Covid-19 from the Health Department at the number 1-800-841-2729
  • PIC will maintain log of visitors, vendors, contractors, students, staff

 

  1. Disclosures

Administrator and Principals to update and inform necessary stakeholders within the school and the community while maintaining confidentiality of the ill individual.

No personal information will be made public. As cases for students or staff members are resolved, we will update the COVID-19 advisory section of our website to remove information about these cases.

Regular school functions can continue unless directed otherwise by the local Public Health Department. Notice of any closures of religious services, classes, cohorts or schools will be posted on our website: www.masjid.ca/organization/covid-19-advisory

  1. Monitoring New Information & Follow-up

Administrator will establish regular check-ins with the principal and coordinator about how they are coping with the new changes and any new practices they may have noticed at work. Weekly input will be received from them.

Areas for New Information

  • Monitor Durham Region Updates at: https://www.durham.ca/Modules/News/en
  • Review existing critical risks and provide input
  • Notice work practice changes, that may affect our current risk management strategy
  • What new risk controls may be required?

The above check-in must be established by:

  • Administrator with Board and Staff
  • BES Principal with Teachers and Staff
  • Coordinator with the respective Religious School Principals

 

  1. Reviewing The Plan

It is a high priority that this plan works:

  • Have a weekly review of the plan
  • Have electronic input from employees, students, and parents
     

A team consisting of the following members will ensure that reviews are done and inputs are received, if any. The team will also evaluate how things are working and for adapting the plan if there are any better/easier ways to do them.
 

  1. Shakil Akhter, Administrator
  2. Bibi Ali, Principal, BES
  3. Raza Shamsi, Coordinator Religious Schools

All communication to take place via Zoom or emails. Any changes to be communicated to all concerned through social media, website, and signage.

Covid-19 Safety Plan - Click Here