The Douglas County Health Department is responding to requests for alternative religious services during Holy Week.

“We know faith is an essential part of the American social fabric,” Health Director Dr. Adi Pour said. “Spiritual guidance can combine with social distancing and make for a memorable service.”

Pour has given consideration to the directed health measures in place and gave approval for houses of worship to have drive-in services on their property, with guidelines.

Those requirements include:

• Individuals must stay in their vehicle, with the windows up.

• Any audio must be broadcast to maintain closed vehicles.

• No carpooling. Individuals residing in the same household may attend in the same vehicle. Family members that live in other homes must drive their own vehicle.

• Leaders of the service are to stay in a stationed area, not mingling or weaving through the parked vehicles. Leaders also must maintain a distance of 6 feet.

• Offerings, if collected, cannot be by someone going vehicle to vehicle. It can be a drive through and drop. Anyone monitoring the location must stay 6 feet away from any vehicle that opens a window.

• Communion, if practiced, cannot be passed from vehicle to vehicle or shared. Each vehicle must have their own items, for their own consumption. Each religious venue must establish how attendees can obtain supplies, in advance, for purposes of communion.

• Building access is limited to no more than 10 people maintaining 6 feet separation for urgent needs only, such as using a restroom.

• Noise levels must be maintained as to not disturb surrounding residences or businesses.

• Traffic must not impede the regular flow of public streets.

The Archdiocese of Omaha announced it will livestream services at archomaha.org/holyweek.

– Douglas County