Jewel Heart COVID-19 Policies

We are happy to announce that at this time Jewel Heart Ann Arbor plans to be open on a limited basis for the “Delam - The Easy Path, Fall Retreat Weekend with Demo Rinpoche” starting on October 9, 2021. 

For the safety of Demo Rimpoche, the attendees and Jewel Heart, new policies and procedures will be in place. These procedures were developed in consultation with Demo Rinpoche, a committee in Ann Arbor (including three nurses who are members of Jewel Heart), staff and the executive directors. The Board also had input into and reviewed the policies and procedures to partially re-open. 

As well as implementing the new policies for this partial re-opening, Jewel Heart has taken a number of additional precautions. Among other things, we will be cleaning more often, have upgraded to MERV-13 air filters, and will limit access in the building during Retreat to the shrine room, bathrooms and store (store by appointment only). Office doors will have signs on them directing attendees to call Staff with any needs. Doors and windows that can be open will be kept open. We will encourage all conversations to take place outdoors subject to social distancing rules. 

Please note the policies and procedures below:

• The number of in-person attendees will be restricted to the first twenty (20) who register and request to be onsite (this number could change depending on circumstances at the time, including the status of the Delta variant). 
• All in-person attendees will need to be to be fully vaccinated, with the amount of time needed for full effectiveness having passed. 
• All in-person attendees will be required to wear masks at all times while indoors at Jewel Heart. 
• All in-person attendees will be required to maintain social distancing of six (6) feet from all other persons while in the building and at the Retreat, with the exception that family members are not required to social distance.
• No congregating within the building. Exit the building immediately after the teachings.
• No eating or drinking will be allowed in the Jewel Heart building. Any eating or drinking outside on Jewel Heart property will need to follow the social distance rules above.
• No out-loud group singing, chanting or praying will be permitted during the Retreat.
• No one should attend in person if they have any symptoms of illness on any day of the Retreat, or on any day 14 days preceding the Retreat.
• All in-person attendees will sign a certification upon entering Jewel Heart at the beginning of the Retreat dealing with above, including certifying they are fully vaccinated, and agreeing to other health checks and an assumption of risk, all for the protection of all attending to prevent the transmission of Covid-19.
• All in-person attendees assume the risks of being exposed to and getting Covid-19 in attending the Retreat in person.
• Jewel Heart requests no one make any plans to attend the retreat in-person until Jewel Heart confirms your in-person attendance, and you understand the policies and procedures governing in-person attendance including signing the Certification. 
• Jewel Heart also asks attendees not to make travel plans without realizing that Jewel Heart reserves the right to cancel the in-person part of the retreat at any time before or during retreat if circumstances warrant and Jewel Heart is not in a position to reimburse for any travel costs due to cancellation of the in-person part of the Retreat.  

Please understand that Jewel Heart is carefully observing the changing circumstances of Covid-19. Due to the uncertain conditions surrounding the virus, Jewel Heart reserves the right to change the above policies and procedures and/or cancel the in-person part of the Retreat at any time and for any reason. 

When conditions are right and it is appropriate to openup further after the Retreat, Jewel Heart will consider the best ways to provide safe and reasonable accommodation to those not able to get vaccinated and are exempt from this requirement under law. On this partial opening, the Retreat will remain available to all registrants on line.

Additionally, during the Retreat, Staff and Demo Rimpoche will be subject to the same policies and procedures in person attendees are subject to.

For more information or to sign up for the retreat click here.