The Church of England has just released some updated guidance for churches relating to easing Covid-19 restrictions and opening and managing church buildings in step 4 of the Roadmap out of Lockdown.
The National Youth Agency (NYA) have also updated their advice and their readiness level is now green. Click here to read more.
Click here to see the latest information and guidance from the national Church of England in Stage 4.
Click here to download the latest document from the national guidance regarding opening and managing church buildings in step 4 of the Roadmap out of Lockdown.
Click here for the latest advice from the National Youth Agency (NYA) in regards to Managing youth sector activities and spaces.
Opening for services
- Public Worship - click here for the Church of England’s advice on the Conduct of Public Worship
- Please see details regarding Holy Communion, specific seasonal services and Occasional offices in the ‘Services’ section below.
Opening for Individual Private Prayer
Test and Trace
This guidance was issued by the Church of England on 23 September. The main elements:
- Track and Trace in the paper based form as per previous Church of England Guidance is what should be in place as part of your ‘covid-safe’ processes. The placing of the QR codes on church buildings is part of the mobile app provision that the Government is pursuing as part of the longer term aim, and is strongly recommended (except for church halls where it is mandatory).
- Places of worship are not covered in legislation requiring use of the NHS Test & Trace service (except where they offer certain facilities such as a café, or are open as a tourist destination in which it is mandatory). However, along with other venues where people spend time, churches are strongly encouraged to keep a record of those who have attended to facilitate NHS Test and Trace in the event of an outbreak of coronavirus. Participating in Test & Trace will help to slow the spread of Covid-19. We encourage you to read the CofE guidance notes, as they also provide guidance on the variations such as ‘hospitality coffee shops’ and also data privacy notices.
- Parish buying are offering to supply a service for the QR for those churches who wish to or must use it (eg where they offer certain facilities such as a café, or are open as a tourist destination).
Guidance on wearing face masks
Posters and sign resources for your church
- Our own poster template for churches on re-opening and a message from Bishop Martyn (June 10)
- Generic 'Individual Prayer' Posters for churches to use
- Coronavirus poster and sign resources to download and print for your church here.
Risk Assessments
How to manage a local outbreak
- Click here to download checklist in the event of local outbreak of Covid-19
Guidance regarding the Rule of Six
- The Government document regarding the mandatory Rule of Six is helpful in ensuring that socialising whilst distancing is followed. Area Deans have been emailed a supplementary document (sent 23 September) which can be displayed or referred to as part of each member’s continuing care for one another as we seek to meet with others safely. There are some helpful elements about meeting others safely in this document.
- These FAQs from the Minister of Faiths, Community and Local Government on 18 September.
- There is also some guidance for youth groups here.
Permitted Activities under national 'step' regulations
- Guidance and permitted activities under these rules can be found here.
Outdoor Worship and Churchyards
- For guidance click here
Singing in church
- From the 28th March indoors: a single small group of singers will be allowed to perform, or rehearse for performance, only where essential to an act of communal worship. This should be limited to as few singers as possible. Communal singing should not take place and strict physical distancing should be observed.
- From the 28th March outdoors: when communal worship takes place in the grounds or the outside space of a place of worship, the congregation may join in with singing, and should follow the principles set out in the Performing Arts guidance. This includes ensuring that congregation members follow physical distancing rules. Social contact limits apply, meaning that households, support bubbles or groups of 2 must not mingle. Communal singing in other public open spaces should not take place. From the 29th March the new social contact limits apply, meaning the Rule of 6 applies unless all involved are from the same household or 2 linked households.