Dear All,

The Bishops’ Conference have recently updated their guidance in the light of the move beyond Level 0 and reviewing the developing scientific situation. Unfortunately the Government have not yet managed to update their guidance on places of worship – they just have a message saying that things will updated “shortly”, which has been there since 10^th August. This means that matters are still a little unclear, but hopefully this will help clarify some points at least.

Remember that even in the current stage beyond level 0 covid is still an ongoing risk. Not unexpectedly with the loosening of restrictions we are finding rising case numbers, etc., so we still need to be attentive at keeping our churches safe. At the same time we are working to return to as much normality as possible.

Ventilation

Ventilation is key for safe buildings. The main risk of contracting covid just now appears to be from airborne particles and so the Bishops’ Experts emphasise the importance of good ventilation:

• Open windows (if you have opening windows) before, during, and after Mass (or other activities in church or hall).
• Open doors before, during, and after Mass (or other activities in church or hall). If they have to be closed during Mass – perhaps its too noisy otherwise – then at least make sure they are open for a good time before and after Mass. Fire doors however must be kept closed.
• Extractor fans or other systems which bring fresh air into the building and take stale air out of the building are helpful and should be used if available.
• Heating or cooling systems which just recycle air should not be used during Mass, but blower heaters can be used in winter if there is no alternative and doors and windows are left open.
• Ventilation is just as important in bad weather – please keep the church or hall ventilated and encourage people to dress appropriately.

Cleaning

Cleaning has become a bit of a burden for volunteers and so it is something I am often asked about. People often refer to what other dioceses or organisations are doing, e.g. the Diocese of Paisley, in an email to parish coordinators, has highlighted that trains and busses and even the NHS do not clean seats after every use, and some highlight that the English bishops recommend a thorough clean just once a week. Scientific understanding of transmission of covid is still developing. The Bishops’ Experts tell us that “Studies and investigations of outbreaks all point to the majority of  transmissions occurring as a result of infected people spewing out large droplets and small particles called aerosols when they cough, talk or breathe. These can be directly inhaled by people close by. Surface transmission, although possible, is not thought to be a significant risk. Excessive attention on making surfaces pristine takes up limited time and resources that would be better spent on ventilation or the decontamination of the air that people breathe.” Touching surfaces is not therefore the biggest risk factor, but this does not mean we can just stop doing any cleaning!

Cleaning is still very important even if we can sometimes look at other safe ways of cleaning, e.g. would giving each parishioner a antibacterial wipe to wipe down their own pew be easier than getting stewards to clean? Equally, with smaller congregations on weekdays can you allocate each attendee their own seat? If no one else uses that seat there is no need to clean it every day. Common touch points should still be cleaned daily (such as door handles, bannisters, etc.).

We all look forwards to the day when we can stop cleaning of pews, etc., given the effort involved and the ongoing damage to the pews and the stickiness that is often the result, but we are not there yet. Even if we can use other safe ways of cleaning day to day, a regular proper clean is still very important.

Standard Precautions

As always, we should keep wearing face coverings (which is a legal obligation in church anyway), unless exempt and keep sanitising hands. Although we no longer have to practice social distancing we do need to be conscious that some people are more wary, or at a higher risk, than others and make arrangements for them to be able to sit further apart if they wish (e.g. have stewards keep others away from them, or have some seats distanced wider, or have some cards that can people can leave next to them saying “please do not sit too close”).

Track & Trace

As well as using systems that we have been doing up to now, it is possible to use the QR code and app that we are used to in restaurants. It is also possible to use a list of those who usually attend 10am Mass on a Monday, for example, and just score off anyone who does not attend or write in anyone extra who comes. Some parishes have also mentioned using different methods. The method doesn’t really matter as long as everyone at Mass is recorded (either on a parish system – whether computer or paper based – in a GDPR compliant way, or directly with the NHS via the app).

Opening Churches for Private Prayer

Churches can now be left open for private prayer.

• Clear instructions should be posted at the door.
• A person coming in should wear face coverings and sanitise hands as if at Mass.
• The person should be asked to wipe down any surfaces they touch, and wipes should be provided for this. If you get a lot of visitors, and aren’t sure that they are wiping down after themselves properly, you should clean the church at the end of the day (or before the next public liturgy) in the same way as after Mass.
• If you get few and infrequent visitors they would not need to register for track and trace. If you get a lot of visitors then the QR Code and Government app is probably the best way to record attendance for track and trace, but you could also leave slips to be completed by the visitor and placed in a locked box (to comply with GDPR).
• Windows and doors should be left open when the church is open for private prayer.
• You do not need a steward to be present if the above precautions are followed.

Liturgical Questions

• Groups standing around the doors before/after Mass should be avoided.
• Holy Water stoups should still not be used. We could instead use the “Asperges” rites at the start of Mass more often.
• Hymn books, missalettes, newsletters etc. can be used.
• Collections by going round with the basket can be restored, but online or contactless giving should still be encouraged.
• The offertory procession can be resumed if it can be done safely, but those bringing the gifts forward should sanitise their hands before touching them. The gifts should remain covered with a lid or pall or clingfilm at all times and should not be touched by others. Practices such as people individually putting a host into the ciborium at the back of the church should not take place.
• The sign of peace should still not be shared by shaking hands.
• One way systems around church are no longer needed.
• Holy Communion can be distributed at the normal time during Mass and in the normal way (albeit still only under one kind and with anyone receiving on the tongue receiving after everyone else and with the minister sanitising hands between each person receiving on the tongue.)
• Votive candles may be used carefully. People should use lighters or tapers rather than holding one candle over another. The fire risk of flammable hand gel should be emphasised.
• Enclosed confessionals should still not be used, but if you have a room available in the sacristy etc. which is a reasonable size and has windows that can be opened Confessions can take place there, using a screen between the priest and penitent, and complying with safeguarding rules if children or vulnerable adults go to Confession.