Current COVID-19 Update - published 19th July 2021

Press release

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EASING OF restrictions at step 4 - DATED 19.07.2021

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Summary of changes from 19 July

From Step 4 legal limits on the numbers of people allowed to meet indoors and outdoors will be removed, including all capacity limits in churches and other venues, as well as removal of the 1 meter+ social distancing rules.

It will no longer be a legal requirement to wear a face covering, though the government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded and enclosed settings to protect themselves and others. Whether a church encourages the use of face coverings will depend on consideration of a number of factors, including the size of the building and the numbers of those present at a particular event. There is no formula for calculating this but carrying out a risk assessment for particular events may help with decision making.

There will no longer be limits on the number of people who can attend weddings, funerals and other life events (including receptions and celebrations). There will also be no restrictions on choirs and music groups, whether amateur or professional, or on congregational singing.

There will no longer be restrictions on group sizes for attending communal worship.  Although social distancing measures and face coverings are no longer required by law, the
incumbent may still make decisions to retain some or all of these measures if they believe doing so is important for safety in their building, or if they judge that it will help people to feel more secure in returning to worship and other uses of the building.

From 19 July singing and musical performances of all kinds are allowed in churches, including congregational singing, and choirs and worship groups can perform without legal limitations.

 
However, some activities can also increase the risk of catching or passing on coronavirus. This happens where people are doing activities which generate more particles as they breathe heavily, such as singing or raising their voices. The risk is greatest where these activities take place when people are in close contact with others indoors, particularly in poorly ventilated spaces.  In these situations where there is a higher risk of catching or passing on the virus, we advise additional precautions should be considered.

Precautions to reduce transmission of the virus can include improving ventilation, using a larger space, reducing the number of participants, shortening the duration of activity and wearing face coverings.

 
Singing (and generally meeting) outdoors is a safer way of gathering, and where this is possible it could be a good alternative to meeting indoors