CLONARD church reopened in west Belfast yesterday after 10 weeks, with "reasonable precautions in place" to help ensure safety.
The popular church, which closed its doors on March 14, opened at 10.30am to allow its loyal parishioners back inside for private prayer.
In accordance with government guidelines, it has made a number of changes in a bid to protect both its vulnerable community of Redemptorists - most of whom are aged 75 and over - as well as visitors.
The church will now only be open from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Only individual visits and personal prayer are permitted and a maximum of 30 people are allowed inside at any one time.
There are a limited number of pews available and all visitors are asked to observe social distancing at all times.
A one-way system has been introduced, with people asked to enter through the two front doors and then exit by the side doors.
There are hand-gels and disposable paper towels available at the entrances and exits and parishioners are asked to wipe down any surfaces they have contact with.
In addition, only one person at a time is allowed light a candle in front of the Mother of Perpetual Help shrine and Sacred Heart altar.
The church, which will be cleaned thoroughly before opening and after closure, has also asked anyone who is at "clinical risk" of Covid-19 or has been advised to shield not to visit.
It has appealed to the "elderly and more vulnerable to take special care" and "not to feel under any obligation to venture out and visit their local church".
Clonard also reminded visitors that the monastery reception will not be open, no members of the Redemptorist community will be available at this time and there will be no access to church toilets.
Fr Peter Burns, Rector of Clonard, said the Redemptorists welcomed the reopening and were looking forward "at some point to having the public attend Masses in the Church".
"We’ve decided to open for some time both morning and afternoon. Some churches, I believe, are opening only in the afternoon," he said.
"It’s a much-loved church - by people from all over Belfast and beyond. Our sense is that there could be quite a number who will want to come here and spend time in quiet prayer. Especially before the shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help."
