Churches and places of worship are reopening from this morning as Level 5 Covid restrictions are lifted.
However, the number of worshippers under Level 3 remains at 50 unless the size of the building allows for more. It’s believed some churches may have to adopt a pre-booking system.
Funerals and weddings are limited to 25 people.
Face masks must be worn in places of worship, and two-metre social distancing and other measures must be adhered to.
No congregating outside before or after services is allowed, services must not exceed an hour and guidance is to be issued for choirs, chanting and congregational singing.
Stewards should be present to ensure guidelines are followed.
For many churchgoers, the inability to meet for community worship was what they missed most during the past five weeks, as Rev Isaac Hanna, Church of Ireland archdeacon of Elphin and Ardagh, and rector of Drumcliffe, Lissadell, and Munninane in County Sligo, has been telling Ocean FM News.
