UPDATED GUIDANCE
3 February: Amended guidance on Lent, Holy Week and Easter
COVID-19 Advice for Services during Lent, Holy Week, and Easter – The Church in Wales
A reminder that the Bench of Bishops is encouraging alternatives to in-person worship at present, although it does not, at this time, require the suspension of in person worship.
You can read the advice from the Bench here.
UPDATED GUIDANCE - Thursday 17th December 2020.
17 December 2020: Alert Level 4
As we approach Christmas, we are aware that Wales is entering the highest alert level for Coronavirus (largely from 28th December). Whilst places of worship do not need to close for services and worship under this level, we urge churches to carefully review the services they plan to offer over the coming weeks. It is more important than ever that risk management and mitigation measures are robust and that resources are in place to implement them. We owe a duty to all those attending services to do all we reasonably can to keep people safe even if that may mean reducing the number and frequency of services offered in some cases. Please review your plans and risk assessment procedures accordingly to make sure people can be certain of a safe environment at church services.
You can see all the up to date information on the Church in Wales website.
Welsh Government has published guidance on singing during the Christmas period and this is available at: Singing over the festive period | GOV.WALES
You can find Posters for your church at: https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/publications/administration-and-business/COVID-19/
RE-OPENING CHURCHES
Updated 14 Sept: Places of worship and church halls can remain open for the range of activities so far permitted and the limit of 6 persons does not apply.
However, face coverings must be worn by all persons over the age of 11 who participate in activities inside the premises.
The updated guidance and safety criteria for re-opening for public worship is published on the Church in Wales website.
In this diocese, the key body in making decisions will be the Mission Area Conference or Executive. There are risk assessments and procedures that must be in place before churches are opened. Mission Areas should develop a shared strategy towards the opening of church buildings in their area. Mission Area Leaders are asked to liaise with the archdeacons, as they develop plans and move forward.
CHURCHES...
Churches in Wales can re-open for private prayer from Monday (June 22) as the Welsh Government eases lockdown restrictions.
Churches which are able to meet strict safety measures can re-open for individuals and household groups to pray. However, all churches will remain closed for services, including weddings, funerals and baptisms.
This guidance is permissive – it is not required of any church.
In order to guide this process, a working group has approved a series of instructions for any Church in Wales Church wishing to re-open, and the Bench have updated their pastoral guidance.
All the material can be found on the Church in Wales website:
https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/clergy-and-members/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance/
In this diocese, the key body in making decisions will be the Mission Area Conference or Executive. There are certain risk assessments and procedures that must be in place before churches are opened. Mission Areas should develop a shared strategy towards the opening of church buildings in their area. Mission Area Leaders are asked to liaise with the archdeacons, as they develop plans and move forward.
