Friends of Finland/Clair Nelson Center COVID-19 Building Usage Policy

Updated June 29th, 2021

Current situation – We are excited to welcome you all back inside the Center! It’s been a strange year, but we’re still here, and the pandemic hasn’t stopped us from doing community work. Staff at the Center just want to say that we appreciate this community so much. Over the last year, your patience, flexibility, creativity, generosity, words of encouragement, and willingness to stand up for what is right have been truly inspiring. Now that we can be together in person again, we won’t be taking it for granted.

Welcome back and see you soon!

COVID-19 Policy – suspended as of July 1st, 2021

General Remarks – To minimize potential exposure of community members, the best practice has been for only one activity to be happening indoors at the Center with no overlaps. Occasional overlaps may be allowed at the discretion of the Operations Lead if they are deemed low-risk. Each group/activity/program must have a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan on file with Operations Lead Nancy Anselment-Olson before beginning activities. The group’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan shall outline what they will do to minimize contact and potential exposure between individuals participating in the group activities. Each Plan shall touch on handwashing, clean-up and sanitation of surfaces and/or equipment, distancing, and how they will enforce the mask mandate within their group. We may require Waivers of Liability for certain activities as requested by our insurance company.

Youth Activities – Official and prescheduled youth activities have first priority for building usage. Youth Night is Thursday evenings from 6-9pm, with some time beforehand for set up of activities. Youth craft activities will, for the most part, utilize this time slot. Other activities will not be scheduled for this time slot. 

Kitchen – Kitchen rentals are allowed as long as proper COVID-19 hygiene protocols (as well as all the normal ones) are observed. Rentals must be scheduled with the Building Manager/Operations Lead. 

Meetings – As of April 1st, we began allowing use of the meeting rooms for community organizations and groups such as AA who have a demonstrable need for meeting space. Meetings shall adhere to the MN Dept of Health recommendations of 10 or fewer people, and must be prescheduled with Operations Lead Nancy Anselment-Olson. 

Gym Activities – General gym activities are allowed  starting May 1st, again, with a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan (see above, General Remarks).

Rentals and Social Events – We are allowing limited rental activities starting June 1st, again, with a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan (see above, General Remarks).

All of the above are subject to change based on recommendations of the MN Department of Health and Governor Walz’s Executive Orders. The most likely outcome is the timeline for reopening being pushed back.