Coronavirus: Diocesan Guidance & Updates
This page includes:
- Practical Guidance once lockdown is eased and church buildings can be used for public worship
- Information on Coronavirus 'exit plans' published by national/public authorities in countries across the Diocese, including guidance regulating churches, where this is available.
Latest update: 15 May 2020
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Practical Guidance once lockdown is eased and church buildings can be used for public worship
Guidance for chaplaincies in the Diocese in Europe was issued by Bishops Robert and David on 29 April. This guidance in the Bishops’ letter to Clergy, Church Wardens and Readers in the Diocese remains unchanged.
Reopening will happen step by step and with considerable caution. Specific points of guidance given apply only in those jurisdictions where gatherings for public worship are legally permitted. The Bishops have emphasised that, in any country the advice of the national government is of paramount importance, and that Clergy and chaplaincy councils need to pay close attention to national/provincial regulations, as well as drawing on the advice of our church partners.
The guidance makes it clear that public services should only be held if they adhere firmly to the principles of hygiene and physical distancing. It also covers continuing guidance on the distribution of Holy Communion in one kind only. It emphasises also the requirement for scrupulous cleaning of churches after each public use.
The Church of England continues to publish guidance for churches at https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches#na
We continue to review this guidance as it issues, and to determine its implications for our Diocese in our senior level Diocesan Corona Co-ordination Group. Updates to current guidance for chaplaincies in the Diocese will be published on this page on a regular basis.
In the meantime, if you have questions or queries regarding the guidance issued on 29 April, please speak to your chaplain.
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Coronavirus 'exit plans'
Countries in the Diocese are beginning to publish ‘exit plans’ as lockdown eases on a step by step basis.
We’re currently able to provide and signpost sources so far covering the countries below, following updates to our Corona Co-ordination Group. There will be more information, as it becomes available, both on national/sub-national local plans published by public authorities, as well as on guidance/regulations relating to churches.
Plans in website links published by public and church authorities are normally in their official languages, and they have sole responsibility for their content. Some websites offer English translations when clicking on the links.
Switzerland:
Federal information: https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/de/home.html and various measures adopted:
The National Ecumenical Body (AGCK) has produced a set of guidelines that cover most worship scenarios and can be adapted for local use by any denomination. Here is the AGCK Schutzkonzept in German and French versions:
downloads/coronavirus/agckschutzkonzept-fur-gottesdienste.docx
downloads/coronavirus/ctecconceptprotectioncelebrations-f.docx
France:
https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus
Germany:
A summary note on measures provided by the Archdeacon:
downloads/coronavirus/easing-lockdown.corona-pandemic.germany.-06.05.2020.docx
Spain:
https://www.mscbs.gob.es/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov-China/home.htm
downloads/coronavirus/medidas-reinicio-culto-publico-en-templos-catolicos.pdf
Italy:
http://www.governo.it/it/coronavirus
downloads/coronavirus/protocolloceigoverno20200507.pdf
Portugal:
https://coronavirus.saude.gov.br/
Belgium:
https://www.info-coronavirus.be/en/
Luxembourg:
https://gouvernement.lu/en/dossiers.gouv_msan%2Ben%2Bdossiers%2B2020%2Bcorona-virus.html
Netherlands:
