TIGHTER coronavirus restrictions for church services and religious ceremonies continue to operate in the Republic compared to Northern Ireland - despite plans to relax hospitality rules south of the border.
Christenings, First Holy Communions and confirmations are still not permitted in the south while they resumed in the more than two months ago.
Churches in the Republic re-opened in May - it was two months earlier in the north to coincide with Easter - but with a cap on those attending set at 50 people.
Places of worship closed on both sides of the border in late December following the surge in Covid cases and deaths linked to pre-Christmas gatherings.
Currently, larger congregations are only permitted in the south where a church is big enough and with strict protocols in place, including a minimum of four metres between sections.
Funeral services are limited to 50 mourners in the south regardless of the size of the venue, while there is no set limit in the north, with the numbers instead determined by a risk assessment of the building.
Wakes can take place in private homes in Northern Ireland when a death is not Covid-related - but existing restrictions on households remain.
In the Republic, wakes are strictly limited to family only.
Wedding restrictions have now eased in the north, where the number of guests at the ceremony and reception is also based on a risk assessment of the venue. Live music is also now allowed but dancing remains banned - apart from the newly married couple's 'first dance'.
In the south, a maximum of 50 wedding guests are permitted at both civil and religious ceremonies. The rules were also relaxed to allow this number to attend the reception. Live music is still banned and it is a sit-down meal only.
In May, just six people were allowed to attend indoor wedding receptions in the Republic, and up to 15 outdoors.
Face coverings must be worn at all religious ceremonies across the island as part of the current Covid-19 regulations.
However, last week it emerged that the mandatory use of face masks in places of worship in Northern Ireland could be scrapped by the end of this month as part of Stormont's lockdown exit strategy.
An executive meeting will take place on July 22 to ratify the move.
Fr Eddie Magee, a spokesman for the Diocese of Down and Connor, said that while they welcome the easement of lockdown measures, the health and safety of all individuals is "a priority that must be maintained".
"We've had risk assessments carried out in all our parishes throughout Covid...so if there is to be any change we would be looking at these assessments again," he said.
"Understandably, a lot of people will be apprehensive as the regulations begin to pull back. I think it is important to say that while mask wearing may no longer be mandatory, it still would be encouraged as good practice. People should feel confident to continue to wear masks to engage in public.
"The diocese also has to interpret the guidance that goes out to parishes, the legislation covers many things but it doesn't cover everything.
"For example, we would have given advice in relation to baptisms as to how they could be carried out safely. So whenever we are blessing with the oils in baptism, we use cotton buds so there was no physical contact between the priest and child. The water would be poured from a jug as opposed from the font and it would only be one baptism at a time."
