Covid Restrictions Updates
Dear All,
As you will have seen on the news, from just after midnight on Saturday morning (5th June), and so applying to Masses next weekend, the following levels will apply:
Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire, and North Lanarkshire will be in level 2.
Argyll & Bute and West Dunbartonshire will be in Level 1.
Obviously for East Dunbartonshire & North Lanarkshire there is no change to the current situation.
For parishes in Glasgow the main change that affects churches is that small choirs can now sing and small bands/groups can now play.
For the parishes in Argyll & Bute and West Dunbartonshire the main changes that affects churches are
- that congregational singing will now be allowed. It is not mandatory to start congregational singing – you should only do so if you risk assess that it is safe to do so, ensuring good ventilation. We have been told that the congregation also need to keep wearing masks whilst singing, so if it is restarted it may be somewhat muffled! Hymnbooks should still be avoided and if you are using sheets make sure you are complying with the copyright requirements.
- 100 people can attend weddings and funerals, but only if your church has sufficient socially-distanced space (otherwise the limit will be whatever lower number you can safely hold). You still need to collect all the names and phone numbers for track & trace, so you will need to ensure that your procedures and stewarding can cope with the higher numbers.
Those areas changing levels may find that the changes affect how many can meet up together, how alcohol can be sold in a hall, etc.
See https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-protection-levels/pages/protection-levels-by-area/ for more details of what can be done.
Subject: Further Covid Restrictions Update
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Dear All,
As the situation keeps – hopefully – improving the bishops have today issued some updated guidance on the celebration of the liturgy, taking us back towards normal practice.
Please remember that the virus is primarily spread by air droplets and so it is important to ventilate the church. Open doors and windows when the church is in use in so far as you can.
Please keep observing the taking track & trace lists, the use of face coverings and hand sanitiser, social distancing, etc.
Liturgy
In Level 2 or below (the whole Archdiocese just now):
- Subject to social distancing and hand hygiene, altar servers and sacristans can resume their usual tasks, if it is safe to do so.
- The Gloria, Creed, and Second Reading may resume (making sure that there is still enough time between Masses to clean the church)
- The offertory procession may restart (those carrying the gifts should sanitise their hands, and the vessels must be closed)
- At Holy Communion, the dialogue “Body of Christ”, “Amen” may resume if it has not already done so.
- Holy Communion should still be distributed in the hand, but the priest may also distribute Communion on the tongue after Mass, with the priest sanitising his hands between each communicant.
- Incense may now be used, but try to avoid excessive smoke.
In Level 1, where congregational singing is permitted, the bishops suggest either using disposable hymn sheets or giving each family a hymn book to take away and bring back for their own personal use. If you are using sheets please ensure compliance with copyright law.
It is hoped that social distancing may drop to 1m before too long, but this has not yet happened and until it does we still need to keep to 2m between household groups in church.
If any area goes back up to Level 3 or 4 the previous liturgical guidance should be followed and the above steps omitted.
Marriage
From today, the bride may be accompanied down the aisle by a person who is not in the same household without having to socially distance from that person. The groom too may be accompanied by someone who is not in the same household. The bride and groom do not need to wear face coverings, the people accompanying them are still to wear them.
With best wishes
Canon Paul Gargaro
Diocesan Coordinator