THE Church of Ireland last night published its guidelines for parishes preparing to resume public worship as Covid-19 restrictions are relaxed.
The Return to In-Church Worship Protocols set out a detailed nine-stage process, emphasising that congregations must comply fully with "all relevant current legislation in their respective jurisdiction" and follow public health advice on social distancing and hand and respiratory hygiene.
The Church said that government roadmaps "indicate the earliest point at which it is permissible for churches to reopen" and stressed that parishes "are under no obligation to open on that exact date (but should not open beforehand)".
"Churches should only reopen when the incumbent and select vestry feel they can do so safely, even if that requires taking additional time."
Under the Republic's accelerated plan, June 29 is the earliest that places of worship can reopen. There is no similar target date in Northern Ireland.
Churches will have to develop plans for dealing with suspected Covid-19 cases and provide clear guidelines as to how services will be conducted and what is expected of parishioners.
"It should be emphasised that this is not 'business as usual' but may require changes to long-established practices," says the document.
People who fall into at-risk groups, including by age or underlying health conditions, must be advised not to attend.
It is clear that the capacity of church buildings will be substantially reduced when the two-metre social distancing requirement is applied, though "members of the same household may share the same pew".
Seating will have to be clearly marked and arranged and where expected attendance may exceed a church building's safe capacity, parishes may have to implement a booking system or be prepared to turn away people.
Shorter services are also preferred, as risk of Covid-19 transmission "is related to duration of contact as well as proximity".
In line with current public health advice, face masks should be used.
To aid with contact tracing, parishes will be required to put in place a system of recording attendance.
The Church says that further guidance is being sought on whether singing will be allowed - there are suggestions that it can increase the risk of spreading Covid-19 - and collections should no longer be by means of passing a plate.
And a cup of tea or coffee after the service - a much-loved tradition in many parishes - "should not be offered under current circumstances".
