Update in line with the Scottish Government's latest introdution of restrictions.

As you will have seen the Scottish Government has imposed Local Restrictions on Glasgow City Council, West Dunbartonshire Council, and East Renfrewshire Council areas. If your parish is in these areas then you are covered by these restrictions. If your parish is in Argyll & Bute, East Dunbartonshire, or North Lanarkshire then you are not affected, but it is a reminder to us all of the need to fully comply with the guidance issued by the Church and by the Government to keep our parishes safe.

The new restrictions are as follows:

1.       People in the local authority areas should not meet with people from other households in indoor household settings, whether in these local authority areas or elsewhere. Members of different households can continue to meet outdoors, including in gardens, and in hospitality settings, provided all existing guidance on meeting outdoors is followed

2.       If anyone living in this area is identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, they and all those in their household group should self-isolate for 14 days

3.       Indoor visits to hospitals and care homes will be limited to essential visits only to protect the most vulnerable. Outdoor visits to care homes are permitted by up to three individuals at a time from no more than two households, in line with current guidance.

There are currently no restrictions on gathering for Mass or other liturgies, and indeed there are no restrictions on any public activities (schools, shops, restaurants, etc.). Our church services can therefore continue as usual.

We cannot though visit people’s homes nor should people visit the parish house (except any members of an extended household a priest might have with a family member or friend). This means that taking Communion to the housebound, visits to arrange funerals, etc., must be suspended, unless they can take place outdoors.

You can read the Guidance at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-local-measures/pages/glasgow/   

The restrictions are due to be in place for two weeks, and will be reviewed in one week’s time. Obviously they may be changed or extended and I will try to keep you up to date as and when this happens.

Please continue to be very careful to keep our parishes safe.