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Christmas carols will not be allowed, and churches should consider holding additional services, with pre-reserved seats during the Christmas period, under a new public health guide for religious services.
Due to the increased risk of transmission of Covid-19 from people who sing near others, the guide indicated that Christmas carols will not be allowed in religious services.
Religious services were allowed to resume this week with a limit of 50 people present. Previously, religious services were conducted via webcam during the national shutdown, and funerals were allowed but limited to 25 people.
Guidance released Friday by the Health Protection Surveillance Center (HPSC) sets out how “overcrowding” at Masses or other religious services during the Christmas period could be prevented.
Recommendations included the implementation of additional services, greater stewardship of parishioners and that churches establish an “early booking system when necessary” for places in services.
Mass should not exceed one hour, including the time it takes for people to enter and leave the church, the guide said. There should be at least an hour between services to allow time to clean surfaces and ventilate the church.
A social distance of two meters should be established between those seated along the church pews, and those attending services should wear face covers.
Singing
“The performance and practice of choirs and musical ensembles has been associated with the spread of Covid-19 due to the increased expulsion of droplets associated with singing and musical instruments blown by the wind,” said the guide.
“Congregational singing, choir singing and Christmas carols are not allowed due to the increased risk of transmitting the virus to others present at the service. You should also avoid playing musical instruments that are blown by the wind, ”he said.
Other music would be possible, such as performances with string instruments or percussion, he said.
The priest or other religious leader will be required to cover their faces during the service, unless they are giving a sermon, and only if they are more than six feet from other people.
The guide also states that physical interaction should be avoided during Mass, such as giving the peace sign and shaking hands.
Church entry and exit should be staggered to allow for better physical distancing, and people should not be allowed to gather outside after the service.
In a statement, the Association of Catholic Priests said there were fears that large numbers of Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day would create a “dangerous and unmanageable” prospect.
“It is an open secret that there is great concern, if not alarm, in parishes about how Masses can be organized on Christmas Eve and Christmas,” he said.
Many priests were under “undue and unfair pressure” to celebrate multiple Masses, establish ticketing systems, or accept “unrealistic and dangerously inappropriate measures to disinfect church buildings and recruit unrealistic numbers of volunteers.”
As a result, some churches would only offer mass online on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day through webcam services, he said.
To date there have been 18 outbreaks of Covid-19 related to religious ceremonies, with one recorded in the last week.
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