Face Coverings in Church
From Friday, 10th December the Secretary of State has made face coverings mandatory in indoor places of worship.
The law states that 'No person may, without reasonable excuse, enter or remain within a relevant place without wearing a face covering.' This law does not apply to:
- children under the age of 11;
- individuals using church for the educational activities of a school;
- individuals attending parent and child groups;
- individuals attending groups convened for the purposes of teaching, training, instructing or otherwise caring for or improving the wellbeing of a child;
- individuals using our churches for the purpose of eating and drinking, including private social events where food and drink is served;
- clergy, employees and volunteers when acting in the course of their duties; and
- others providing services to the church (e.g. contractors, wedding photographers) when in the building.
A 'reasonable excuse' for not wearing a face covering at times when it is mandatory includes but is not limited to:
- times when individuals are singing;
- not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability;
- if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress;
- if you are travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate;
- to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others or to receive medical treatment;
- to avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you;
- to eat or drink if reasonably necessary;
- in order to take medication; and
- if a police officer or other official requests you remove your face covering.
Receiving the Sacrament
Please remember that during the mass, face coverings should be removed before receiving the Sacrament and then re-applied once the Sacrament has been consumed. The Sacrament should be consumed at the place where it is administered and not taken away to be consumed at the seat.
Enforcing these Regulations
It is not the job of the priest, churchwardens or any other church officer to police the wearing of face coverings, and nobody will be challenged for wearing or not wearing a face covering. At the same time, we would encourage you to continue to respect the law.
Fr Philip Kennedy, Vicar
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