Dear All,

The Government have now issued their updated guidance for places of worship in the light of the Omicron Variant.

Worship

There are no specific changes – there are no caps on attendance, no ban on singing, and none of the other restrictions that were previously in force. If we have been following the current guidance (sanitising, masks, track & trace, and ventilation) carefully we should already be complying with the new guidance.

One things is different: we are now encouraged to promote distancing between household groups, however there is no fixed limit (no 1m or 2m as previously). I know some churches have kept some distancing in force, such as having every second row blocked off – these types of measures could now be used in all churches. We also need to consider distancing in the Communion procession, consider whether our entrances and exits need changed to avoid crowding, and consider how to encouraging distancing around the crib, tree, or other focal points.

Every church is a different size and shape and has different levels of attendance, so you need to consider the risks that are present in your congregation/building, and how best to mitigate them.

Testing

Clergy, parish volunteers, and the congregation, are all encouraged to regularly test at home, and must isolate and get a PCR test if they should test positive at home. There are specific rules about testing if you are visiting hospitals or care home, and you are advised to test before visiting the sick at home.

Masks

Priests, deacons, and readers at Mass (or other liturgies) do not have to wear masks whilst leading the act of worship but they must now stay 2m from any other person whilst without a mask (or be partitioned if the distance is less), similarly there must now be 2m between cantors or choirs and any other person. None of this affects those who are medically exempt from wearing masks.

Social Activities

Regarding social activities, the new guidance states “if you are unsure about additional activities and events at a place of worship (beyond acts of worship) over the Christmas period, consider the advice to limit your contacts where possible and assess whether such activities and events can be deferred.”

You can read the guidance here https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-phase-3-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship/

I hope that we can all have a safe celebration of Christmas, and thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make our churches as safe as they can be.

Canon Paul Gargaro

Diocesan Coordinator