Coronavirus: Three-stage plan for reopening churches in England outlined by authorities

Limited activities such as streaming services or private prayer by clergy to be rolled out under first phase

Churches in England are to be gradually reopened under a three-stage plan once lockdown measures are eased, authorities have said.

In a video-conference call held on Tuesday, leaders from the Church of England agreed to lifting the closure of church buildings “in time and in parallel” with the government’s approach.

Under the first phase, limited activities such as streaming services or private prayer by clergy would be rolled out – so long as social distancing and hygiene precautions are taken.

The second stage will see the reintroduction of some rites and ceremonies, while the final phase intends to allow worship with “limited congregations” so long as government restrictions are eased enough to allow this.

At the meeting, led by Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally, the Church of England agreed that the decision on the timing of when to implement the new measures should be made by individual diocesan bishops.

It stressed that this was guidance and not an instruction or law, and said that it will be constantly reviewed depending on the national situation.

National Church of England guidance will also be updated in the “coming days” with further advice on how the stages could be lifted, it added.

Bishop Sarah said: “We are hugely grateful for all that our churches and clergy have been doing to support the Government’s message to stay at home, to support the NHS, and to save lives.

“While it is clear there will be no imminent return to normality, the emphasis is now turning towards how and when aspects of social distancing can be eased, although we remain mindful of the potential risks of a second wave of the virus.

“Nevertheless, it now makes sense for us to start to look ahead to the potential easing of restrictions so that our clergy and churches can be prepared.”

Across the world, religious sites have begun tentatively reopening their doors – including a small number of churches in Germany last weekend.

Singing is to be forbidden amid concerns that it causes the virus to spread more easily, while physical contact is prohibited.

Synagogues will also start to reopen slowly, as will mosques, which are due to hold their first public prayers since lockdown on 9 May.

Karl Justen, a prelate in the German Catholic Church, called the government’s decision to reopen religious buildings a “positive sign” that religious freedom and infection prevention could work in harmony.

Josef Schuster, the president of the German Central Council of Jews, said: “People need stability and trust in their religions, especially in the current situation.”

In South Korea, worshipers have been told to keep their distance and wear masks after the government relaxed restrictions on religious gatherings.

Onnuri Church, one of the biggest churches in Seoul, required members to sign up online ahead of the service and sit on designated seats to maintain distance.

It has also limited attendance to 700 in a hall with a capacity of 3,000 people, a church official said.

A secretive church, the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, was at the epicentre of South Korea’s coronavirus outbreak, with about half of the country’s total infections of 10,728 linked to its members.

Additional reporting by agencies