Coronavirus (Covid-19) guidance

There are now no specific legal restrictions relating to Coronavirus (except for the requirement to wear face coverings in health and care settings). However, the risk of transmitting Coronavirus will need to be considered as part of your church’s general health and safety and risk assessment process. It is a legal duty for all organisations to plan their activities and manage hazards by assessing the risk of them causing harm. Therefore, it is recommended that you maintain a risk assessment to manage the transmission of Coronavirus (as an obvious hazard at the current time) as part of your Health and Safety management arrangements. Updated and simplified guidance is now available below:

• Alert Level 0 Covid 19 Guidance on Celebrating Holy Communion May 2022 (Word)
• Alert Level 0 Covid 19 Risk Assessment Template May 2022 (Word)
• Alert Level 0 Covid 19 Coronavirus FAQ v 2 May 2022 (Word)

Welsh Government has announced that as from 18 April 2022, legal restrictions under The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) Regulations 2020 will be removed (except for the requirement to wear face coverings in health and care settings).

The main impact of this for local churches is that a Covid risk assessment will no longer be a specific legal requirement. However, the risk of transmitting Coronavirus will need to be considered as part of your church’s general health and safety and risk assessment process. It is a legal duty for all organisations to plan their activities and manage hazards by assessing the risk of them causing harm. Therefore, it is recommended that you maintain a risk assessment to manage the transmission of Coronavirus (as an obvious hazard at the current time) as part of your Health and Safety management arrangements.

It is no longer a legal duty to record people attending services and other activities but organisations can consider doing so to aid contact tracing (which continues until June).

We will be issuing revised guidance in the light of these legislative changes shortly to help you consider the appropriate measures to keep people safe. Good ventilation, hygiene, premises cleaning and, where possible, social distancing remain the most effective ways to control the spread of Coronavirus (and, indeed, some other transmissible diseases).

Our guidance notes have been updated to reflect the latest regulations for Covid-19. It remains a legal requirement to prepare a written risk assessment to control the risk of Covid transmission and the guidance seeks to help local church councils consider what would be appropriate in their circumstances.

In addition to face coverings no longer being required (except in retail, transport or health settings), the QR codes on the Covid-19 app for England and Wales are no longer operational as a means of recording attendance.

The Bench of Bishops has signalled that, subject to local risk assessment, the common cup might be restored from Easter Day. There is no requirement to do so and communion in one kind remains valid. No communicant should feel compelled to take the common cup. Updated guidance for the administration of holy communion has been provided to help you think about how to conduct communion safely and to consider the relative risks of different approaches. You should consider your approach carefully and communicate this to your congregation.

• Covid 19 Churches Risk Assessment Guidance Alert Level 0 March 22 (Word)
• Covid 19 Church Halls Risk Assessment Guidance Alert Level 0 March 22 (Word)
• Covid 19 Guidance Marriages and Funerals Alert Level 0 March 22 (Word)
• Covid 19 Guidance on Celebrating Holy Communion Alert Level 0 March 22 (Word)
• Covid 19 Guidance on Conducting Baptisms Alert Level 0 March 22 (Word)

From the 28th February 2022, face coverings only need to be worn, by law, in retail, public transport and health and care settings. The law no longer requires that face coverings be worn in places of worship, community centres or church halls.

However, the wearing of face coverings remains an effective risk mitigation measure so you might consider retaining them as part of your risk assessment. It is certainly recommended that they are worn for closer contact activities e.g the imposition of ashes.

Certainly, nobody should feel awkward or embarrassed by choosing to wear a face covering.

Where places of worship have retail shops, people should be reminded of the legal requirement to wear a face covering in those areas.

Our detailed guidance notes are being updated and will be posted as soon as possible.

The Bench of Bishops has approved the guidance on the imposition of ashes (ashing) under Alert Level Zero. From the 28th February, face coverings will only be legally required in retail, public transport and health and care settings. Face coverings will not have to be worn in places of worship or community buildings from that date but can still be a useful measure to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission as part of local risk management measures. It will be noted that face coverings are recommended during the imposition of ashes given the close proximity of people.

• Guidance on the imposition of ashes (ashing) on Ash Wednesday (Word)

• Guidance on vestry meetings, PCC meetings and electoral rolls (Word) updated February 2022

This guidance (February 2022) supersedes the previous guidance, dated September 2020.

We have made some minor amendments to the following guidance notes. These are:

• to reflect the current requirements for isolation if a person tests positive for Covid 19;
• to confirm that there is an exception to the general rule on wearing face coverings to mean that they do not need to be worn, by law, at a marriage ceremony

Download:

• Covid 19 Guidance Marriages and Funerals Alert Level 0 (Word)
• Covid 19 Guidance on Celebrating Holy Communion Alert Level 0 (Word)
• Alert Level 0 Risk Assessment Template Weddings Funerals Events (Word)

Welsh Government has announced that Wales is again at Alert Level Zero for Coronavirus. This means that the rules and guidance revert to the position immediately before the 26th December 2021. The key points are that:

• Event organizers and building managers must still prepare a written Covid-19 risk assessment
• Social distancing is no longer a legal requirement but remains a useful risk mitigation measure
• There are no legal limits (for Covid reasons) on numbers attending indoor or outdoor events (subject to any limits that risk assessments might identify)
• Face coverings must continue to be worn in public places including places of worship and community buildings
• Isolation periods for those testing positive have been reduced

Our Alert Level Zero guidance has been re-issued and can be found below.

• Covid 19 Churches Risk Assessment Guidance Alert Level 0 Jan 2022 (Word)
• Covid 19 Church Halls Risk Assessment Guidance Alert Level 0 Jan 2022 (Word)
• Covid 19 Guidance Marriages and Funerals Alert Level 0 Jan 2022 (Word)
• Covid 19 Guidance on Celebrating Holy Communion Alert Level 0 Jan 2022 (Word)
• Covid 19 Guidance on Conducting Baptisms Alert Level 0 Jan 2022 (Word)

Risk assessment templates

• Alert Level 0 Risk Assessment Template Church Halls Feb 22 (Word)
• Alert Level 0 Risk Assessment Template Churches Feb 22 (Word)
• Alert Level 0 Risk Assessment Template Weddings Funerals Events Feb 22 (Word)

The First Minister has signalled that Wales will return to Alert Level Zero from 28 January. Restrictions on the number of people gathering outdoors are being relaxed sooner. The announcement can be found at:

• Plan to ease alert level 2 protections announced | GOV.WALES

Church in Wales guidance will be revised as these changes are confirmed. It is likely that social distancing will become advisory again (rather than a legal requirement under Alert Level 2). It seems clear that the wearing of face coverings will continue to be a requirement in indoor public spaces.

The latest version of the Coronavirus regulations permit some greater flexibility over social distancing than previously. It is now legally possible for premises, including places of worship, to permit people not from the same household to sit in groups of up to 6 people as for cafes, pubs etc. Such groups should be socially distanced from other individuals and groups.

However, places of worship or activity organisers are not obliged to permit this and through their local risk assessment may adopt alternative arrangements. These might include:

• requiring that only members of the same extended household sit together
• requiring that a group must book in advance
• permit smaller groups only (for example, groups of 2 or 3 in order to permit people who would otherwise need to sit alone to have some company).

The Omicron variant is clearly more readily transmissible than previous variants of Covid-19, so a careful approach based on consideration of the nature and make-up of your congregation and community is advised. This rule of 6 also permits some flexibility over activities such as bell-ringing where social distancing may be harder to maintain.

Welsh Government have updated its Action Card for Places of Worship setting out reasonable measures that might be considered as part of a risk assessment at Alert Level 2.

See: Places of worship and funerals: potential reasonable measures action card (alert level 2) | GOV.WALES

Alert Level 2 Restrictions from 26th December 2021

Revised Church in Wales guidance for opening churches and halls under Alert Level 2 has now been published. The guidance on conducting holy communion, weddings and funerals has also been updated to reflect Alert Level 2. Risk Assessment templates are also available below:

Guidance

• Covid 19 Churches Risk Assessment Guidance Alert Level 2 Dec 2021 (Word)
• Covid 19 Church Halls Risk Assessment Guidance Alert Level 2 Dec 2021 (Word)
• Covid 19 Guidance Marriages and Funerals Alert Level 2 Dec 2021 (Word)
• Covid 19 Guidance on Celebrating Holy Communion Alert Level 2 Dec 2021 (Word)
• Covid 19 Guidance on Conducting Baptisms Alert Level 2 Dec 2021 (Word)

Risk assessment templates

• Alert Level 2 Risk Assessment Template Church Halls (Word)
• Alert Level 2 Risk Assessment Template Churches (Word)
• Alert Level 2 Risk Assessment Template Weddings Funerals Events (Word)

Alert Level 2 Restrictions from 26th December 2021

From the 6.00am on the 26th December, Wales will move back into Alert Level 2 restrictions. Churches and community buildings can remain open but the implications for churches and community buildings are:

1. Two-metre social distancing is again a legal obligation for all organisers of activities. You need to revert to organising the access and layout of your buildings (churches and halls) to maintain social distancing between persons and households (if you haven’t retained it as part of your current risk assessment)
2. You should update your risk assessment to reflect the requirement for social distancing and the revised Alert Level
3. There are no strict limits on numbers attending for indoor or outdoor worship activities including life events – the only limit is the safe capacity of the building to maintain social distancing.
4. Use of buildings for other community activities/events is limited to a cap of 30 people indoors or 50 people outdoors (whilst maintaining social distancing). Note: Numbers at wedding receptions or funeral wakes are limited to the safe capacity of the venue to maintain social distancing
5. Face coverings must be worn for all indoor activities, as now
6. Singing remains permissible (with face coverings) but you should consider mitigation measures such as limiting numbers of songs/hymns or singing outdoors.

Attending hospitality venues, theatres and cinemas is returning to the ‘rule of 6’ and whilst this doesn’t impact on worship and community activities directly, arrangements for fellowship and refreshments should be reviewed to sit people in socially distanced groups of six.

The detailed guidance on how to safely open your buildings under Alert Level 2, will be updated shortly but, subject to the points above, the current guidance remains relevant. Welsh Government guidance on Alert Level 2 can be seen at Alert level 2: summary | GOV.WALES

Further restrictions may be imposed in January and we will update this website as soon as we know more.

The arrival of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in Wales is a matter of great concern. Welsh Government has announced new restrictions to come into effect on the 27th December which will make social distancing measures a legal requirement again for certain premises especially shops and offices. We do not yet know whether these will formally apply to places of worship and community buildings and will update this website and guidance as soon as the position is clear.

It is worth stating that there are no new restrictions on activities that can take place but those activities need to be undertaken with even greater care to protect people from transmission. Our current guidance remains relevant and should be reviewed to inform local risk assessments. In particular, careful consideration should be given to re-introducing social distancing.

We urge local churches to carefully review their risk assessment arrangements and continue to follow the guidance published both by the Church in Wales and Welsh Government. Face coverings remain a legal requirement in public buildings including churches. Other mitigation measures such as sanitising, cleaning and social distancing will, generally, form part of a careful Covid risk assessment.

As this is a season of even more gatherings including concerts, we have received clarification from Welsh Government on the issue of Covid passes for concerts etc. The covid pass requirement would not apply to a place of worship or community centre that was showing a film or having a concert etc. This is because it remains a Place of Worship or Community Centre despite occasional use otherwise. Local churches and halls may still choose to require Covid passes for such events, as part of their risk assessment and transmission reduction measures, but this is not a legal requirement.

Welsh Government is strongly advising everyone in Wales to follow these five measures to stay safe:

• Get vaccinated – and if you’ve had your booster appointment, please make attending your priority.
• If you’re going out, going Christmas shopping or visiting people – flow before you go. Take a lateral flow test. If it’s positive – don’t go out.
• Meeting outdoors is better than indoors. If you’re meeting indoors make sure it’s well ventilated.
• Space out your socialising - people are encouraged to leave a day between meeting up with others
• And don’t forget about social distancing, wearing a face covering and washing your hands.

Staying safe at Christmas | GOV.WALES

Whilst there is no requirement to cancel activities, it is worth reviewing whether all need to go ahead or whether they can be organised differently to limit transmission risk.

The guidance on face coverings has been strengthened as follows – which is relevant to all occasions, including those in places of worship and faith activities where food and drink are served:

Despite it not being a legal requirement in the following settings, it is strongly advised that both employees and customers wear a face covering indoors. This advice applies unless they are exempt or actively eating, drinking or dancing:

• in hospitality settings such as pubs or nightclubs
• at a wedding, civil partnership or alternative wedding ceremony or reception

Some wedding or hospitality venues might ask you to wear a face covering. They can do this because they have looked at how to manage the risks for their business.

Mixed use venues: Where food or drink is consumed in part of a premises, like a department store cafe, or hotel restaurant, you must wear face coverings on the premises except in the area set aside for eating and drinking.

It is a legal requirement for those responsible for any venue, including places of worship, to have regard to this guidance, so local churches should update their risk assessments to include serious consideration of them.

In England, the regulations on face coverings have now been updated to include permission to remove the covering when singing. No such change has been made in Wales.

Following the recent announcement by the Welsh Government concerning face masks at weddings, we have amended our guidance accordingly:

• Covid 19 Guidance Marriages and Funerals Alert Level 0 3SEPT20 (PDF)
• Covid 19 Churches Risk Assessment Guidance Alert Level 0 - 3SEPT20 (PDF)

New guidance has been prepared for managing Coronavirus under Welsh Government’s Alert Level Zero. These set out guidance on how to prepare risk assessments and reasonable mitigation measures that should be considered by each local trustee body.

The guidance documents can be accessed below:

• Covid 19 Churches Risk Assessment Guidance Alert Level 0 (PDF)
• Covid 19 Guidance on Conducting Baptisms Alert Level 0 (PDF)
• Covid 19 Church Halls Risk Assessment Guidance Alert Level 0 (PDF)
• Covid 19 Guidance on Celebrating Holy Communion Alert Level 0 (PDF)
• Covid 19 Guidance Marriages and Funerals Alert Level 0 (PDF)

Risk assessment templates:

• Alert Level 0 Risk Assessment Template Church Halls (Word)
• Alert Level 0 Risk Assessment Template Churches (Word)
• Alert Level 0 Risk Assessment Template Weddings Funerals Events (Word)

Welsh Government has just published a ‘reasonable measures action card for places of worship’ available at:

• Places of worship and funerals: potential reasonable measures action card (coronavirus) [HTML] | GOV.WALES

This outlines potential reasonable measures for reducing the risk of transmission of Covid-19 and complements the Church in Wales general guidance on risk assessment under Alert Level Zero.

Welsh Government has also published a range of ‘potential reasonable measures additional action cards’ for other activities which may be helpful in considering other church and community related activities. These can be viewed at:

• Reasonable measures action cards for businesses and organisations: coronavirus | GOV.WALES

Coronavirus Statement from the Bench of Bishops 7th August 2021

Welsh Government has today announced a move to Alert Level Zero for Coronavirus-Covid 19.

• See Alert level 0: summary | GOV.WALES

This broadly means the lifting of most legal restrictions on activities. This is welcome news, but we must also urge some caution. Covid-19 has not been eradicated and it is a disease that is likely to be with us for some time. Whilst over 80% of the adult Welsh population has been vaccinated, there remain people who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons and people who have chosen not to be vaccinated. Furthermore, even with vaccination some people can still become ill or even die from the virus. We believe we should still take great care in how we open our churches and halls in the weeks ahead.

Even at Alert Level Zero, there three key legal requirements that must be observed:

1. Organisations must undertake a written coronavirus risk assessment of their premises and activities and take reasonable measures to minimise exposure to, and the spread of, coronavirus based on that risk assessment.
2. Everyone must still self-isolate for 10 days if they test positive for COVID-19. If you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive and you are not fully vaccinated you must also self-isolate for 10 days as instructed by the Test Trace Protect system.
3. Adults and children over 12 must (with limited exceptions) wear face-coverings in indoor public places (including churches and halls), with the exception of hospitality settings such as restaurants, pubs, cafes or nightclubs.

Churches and halls that have already opened have done so with a risk assessment approved by their Archdeacon or other nominated person. These risk assessments were backed up by clear legislative requirements and government guidance. Under Alert level Zero, these risk assessments and the associated mitigation measures are much more a judgment for each PCC/MAC.

General guidance has been provided by Welsh Government at:

• Alert level 0: guidance for employers, businesses and organisations [HTML] | GOV.WALES

You should read this guidance as it sets out clearly the main ways in which Coronavirus is spread and some key control measures you should consider.

The Representative Body will shortly publish updated advice, specific to the Church, on how to develop risk assessments in this new environment. Welsh Government has also provided a generic risk assessment at:

• Public premises and workplace COVID-19 risk assessment | GOV.WALES

In general terms, we recommend that churches and church halls should continue with their current risk assessment arrangements as they will provide a secure basis for restricting the transmission of Covid-19. However, risk assessments might be reviewed taking into account the following:

• Social distancing: Whilst the requirement for social distancing is no longer a legal requirement, it remains a very useful measure to limit transmission. It will certainly be appropriate where people have not had two vaccinations.
• Ventilation: spaces with good ventilation are safer spaces. If a space cannot be ventilated with fresh air, then social distancing will be even more important.
• The wearing of face coverings is a legal requirement for public buildings and this includes churches. The wearing of face coverings must be maintained during congregational singing. Raised voices, including singing remains identified as a particular risk factor, so this activity needs to be managed carefully.
• Hand washing and sanitizing should continue.
• The cleaning of surfaces and premises remains important.
• Outdoor activity is to be encouraged because it presents lower risks.
• There are clearly much lower risks from fully vaccinated persons mixing than when unvaccinated people are mixing.
• Track and Trace – continuing to record who is present in a building enables effective tracing if there is a positive contact. Existing Track and Trace arrangements should continue and the relevant forms remain available on the website.
• On-line services/live streaming are a means of people interacting with our services safely – these should continue, where possible, to help those who remain vulnerable or nervous.
• It is important to remind people that Covid-19 has not been eradicated and people should still exercise caution in their behaviour. Standard signage is available on the website.

Alert Level 1

With a very significant proportion of the Welsh population having received two doses of the vaccine, the general position with Coronavirus Covid -19 is that the consequences of contracting the virus are generally less significant but, with greater freedoms, the likelihood of contracting it is much higher. There are people in our communities who cannot receive the vaccine and so we must remain cautious and not reduce our management of the risk of transmission.

Welsh Government has announced the main changes in Covid regulations. These can be seen at:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Topic | GOV.WALES
• Current restrictions: frequently asked questions | GOV.WALES
• Gathering with other people: current restrictions | GOV.WALES

The changes from Saturday 17th July mean the following for churches and church halls:

• There is now a limit of 1000 people (seated) and 200 people (standing) gathering indoors. However, the requirement to maintain two-metre social distancing is still in place so the capacity of buildings will still be reduced. However, for community activity in buildings this change should now give greater flexibility.
• The wearing of face coverings indoors remains a requirement.
• The need to provide for hand sanitising and premises cleaning remains.
• Households and extended households (’bubbles’) can sit together but still with social distancing between other individuals or bubbles.
• We believe it is lawful for groups of six people from six households to sit together at a church service, wedding or funeral. Such a group should be seated socially distanced from other groups. However, for places of worship Welsh Government’s advice is that where possible ‘people avoid congregating with people they do not live with’. Furthermore, the guidance on congregational singing makes it clear that such a group of six should be social distanced from each other, if singing. Churches who would like to introduce seating in groups of six from six households should:
  • Carefully review your risk assessment to consider whether allowing groups of six can be safely managed
  • Only allow it if congregational singing is not part of the service
  • Record contact details for each member of the group of 6 to aid later contact tracing if someone tests positive
  • Encourage it only between persons known to each other – rather than strangers. That way people can more easily check that each member has been double-vaccinated and is symptom free.
• The serving of tea and coffee etc after services can now take place indoors. You should update your risk assessment to allow for people to sit in groups of six with social distancing between groups for this activity. Refreshments might more easily be organised outdoors where refreshments can be served ‘take-away’ style with people collecting from appropriately distanced stations.
• Welsh Government continues to advise that congregational singing should only be considered where incidence of Coronavirus cases are low but they no longer define what ‘low’ means. The original suggestion was 50 cases in 100,000 of population but all local authority areas are currently above this level. Churches should carefully consider the Welsh Government advice on congregational singing in their local context.
• It is important to emphasise to congregations and attendees that the restrictions in Wales have not yet been relaxed as much as in England
• Generally, we support a cautious approach. Maintaining existing precautions and service arrangements seems a sensible approach at this time.
• A detailed document has been published regarding the “Level 0” restrictions which it is hoped to introduce fully on August 7: - https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2021-07/coronavirus-control-plan-alert-level-zero-0.pdf

Under these restrictions, the legal requirement to wear a face covering indoors (except in hospitality venues) will continue, and the legal requirement to prepare and implement a risk assessment for all activities will continue. We are involved in detailed discussions with Welsh Government and Cytun about the implications of keeping such a legal requirement without specific regulations in place regarding, for example, distancing, and about what guidance Welsh Government will be preparing for places of worship in these new circumstances.

We have updated our guidance for Alert Level 1 and the various documents are listed below:

• Opening Churches Guidance Alert Level 1 - 17 July 2021 (PDF)
  • Covid 19 Opening Churches Guidance Alert Level 1 - Risk Assessment Form (Word)
• Guidance on re-opening of church halls 17 July 2021 (PDF)
  • Guidance on re-opening of church halls - Risk Assessment form (Word)
• Guidance on Celebrating Holy Communion 17 July 2021 (PDF)
• Guidance on Conducting Baptisms 17 July 2021 (PDF)
• Guidance Marriages and Funerals 17 July 2021 (PDF)
  • Funeral or Wedding Risk Assessment Template (Word)
• Guidance on Singing, Music and the Playing of Organs 17 July 2021 (PDF)
• Guidance on opening churches for visitors 17 July 2021 (PDF)
  • Opening churches for visitors - Risk assessment Form (Word)

Welsh Government has announced the main changes in Covid regulations. These can be seen at

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Topic | GOV.WALES

Please monitor the Welsh Government page, particularly the FAQ section, which sets out the main restrictions. We will seek to update this guidance accordingly.

The changes from Saturday 17th July will mean the following for churches and church halls:

• There is now a limit of 1000 people (seated) and 200 people (standing) gathering indoors. However, the requirement to maintain two-metre social distancing is still in place so the capacity of buildings will still be reduced. However, for community activity, there should now be greater flexibility.
• The wearing of face coverings indoors remains a requirement.
• The need to provide for hand sanitising and premises cleaning remains.
• We have received clarification that the serving of tea and coffee etc after services can now take place. You should update your risk assessment to allow for people to sit in groups of six with social distance between groups for this activity.
• There remains some confusion over whether groups of six from six different households can be permitted to sit together for worship. Welsh Government guidance for Places of Worship at Guidance on reopening places of worship: coronavirus | GOV.WALES does not allow for the ‘rule of 6’ but in other settings this is now possible. We are seeking further guidance on the point and will confirm as soon as possible.
• It is important to emphasise to congregations and attendees that the restrictions in Wales have not yet been relaxed as much as in England.
• Generally, we support a cautious approach. Maintaining existing precautions and service arrangements seems a sensible approach at this time.
• Our detailed guidance will be updated in the next few days and republished to reflect the changes on 17th July.

There are clearly more changes planned on the 7th August. We hope to learn more details in advance of that date from Welsh Government and will update guidance accordingly. It is clear that there will be much greater onus on local decision making and assessment of risk in each setting. There will be fewer prescribed precautions going forward.

We are awaiting announcements from Welsh Government concerning the new regulations concerning the control of Coronavirus Covid-19. The much-publicised lifting of restrictions in England do not yet apply in Wales and, indeed, restrictions may differ in Wales in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, you are encouraged to maintain current arrangements.

The latest announcement on face coverings in Wales can be seen at:

• Face coverings to continue to help keep Wales safe | GOV.WALES

This also explains how the Government is working towards the new Alert Level Zero.

We have not updated our general guidance at this time as we will undertake a wholesale update once changes are known. As things stand, the guidance remains relevant and a reasonable approach to control measures, at this time.

Children’ Parties

Welsh Government has published guidance on how children’s parties can be permitted in community buildings such as halls and churches. Please see:

• Guidance on children and young people’s parties: coronavirus | GOV.WALES

Households and the Rule of 6

Our guidance makes it clear that social distancing must be maintained between persons or households. For clarification, this includes extended households as defined at:

• Gathering with other people: current restrictions | GOV.WALES
  (see Visiting Private Homes Section).

We are awaiting some clarification about the extent to which ‘the rule of 6’ can be applied in our buildings and will update this website shortly.

What has changed?

Welsh Government has now indicated that congregational singing may resume as part of organised worship indoors in areas of Wales where prevalence of Covid-19 is low.

Low prevalence means fewer than 50 cases per 100,000 people in a 7-day period. You can view the latest rates in your local authority at the following website https://coronaviruscymru.wales/local-authority-table - the relevant column is headed “7-day cases per 100k”. Covid-19 rates in a local area can change very quickly, so the local statistics should be checked regularly. If you have reintroduced congregational singing and then the case rate in your local area rises beyond 50 cases per 100,000, unfortunately you will need to suspend congregational singing once more.

It is important to emphasise that the Government has not said that congregational singing is safe, but rather that the risk can be managed in areas of low Covid-19 prevalence. If you wish to consider restarting congregational singing, then you will need to add this to your risk assessment. All the existing provisions on social distancing continue to apply, and this would be a good opportunity to audit your current practice to make sure that (e.g.) physical distancing has not ‘slipped’ in recent weeks. Particular care should be taken to ensure that a full 2-metre distance is maintained between all households at all times. For this reason, we advise against singing in procession at this time.

Congregations must remain masked to sing. For those who find this uncomfortable, a number of places now sell face coverings designed for singers, with an internal frame to keep the fabric a few centimetres away from the mouth. If you have a large number of people in your congregation who are exempt from wearing face coverings, this would be a significant additional risk factor which may lead to you determining that it is not safe to resume congregational singing at this time.

It is also possible for an organised outdoor gathering to include congregational singing subject to a careful risk assessment and maintaining strict social distancing. Some churches (with the outdoor space to do so) have been moving outside for part of their service, and limiting congregational singing those parts of the service which take place outside. If this is possible in your individual context, then this is advisable, as we know that Covid-19 transmission outdoors is significantly lower than indoors.

Despite these recent changes, the Government guidance remains that raised voices, including singing, appear to be a risk factor for the spread of Covid-19. It therefore remains recommended that loud singing is avoided.

Church in Wales guidance on Music and the Playing of Organs, and on Opening Churches has been updated accordingly.

22 June 2021

The following Church in Wales guidance on undertaking activities safely is available:

• Opening Churches Guidance Alert Level 2 23 June 2021 (PDF)
  • Covid 19 Opening Churches Guidance Alert Level 2 - Risk Assessment Form (Word)
• Guidance on re-opening of church halls 7 June 2021 (PDF)
  • Guidance on re-opening of church halls - Risk Assessment form (Word)
• Guidance on Celebrating Holy Communion 7 June 2021 (PDF)
• Guidance on Conducting Baptisms 7 June 2021 (PDF)
• Guidance Marriages and Funerals 7 June 2021 (PDF)
• Guidance on Music and the Playing of Organs 23 June 2021 (PDF)
• Guidance on Congregational Singing 23 June 2021 (PDF)
• Guidance on opening churches for visitors 7 June 2021 (PDF)
  • Opening churches for visitors - Risk assessment Form (Word)

These documents are updated regularly as Welsh Government guidance is published so do regularly revisit the pages.

Alert Level 2 moving to Alert Level 1

A Practical Advice Update 7th June 2021

Wales is now moving, in incremental stages, from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1 and Welsh Government has set out the next steps of relaxing restrictions. This does mean that a wider range of activities are now permitted with greater numbers of people involved but the restrictions on how these activities are undertaken remain.

Details of what Alert Level 2 means in Wales can be found at:

• Restrictions from 7 June 2021: frequently asked questions | GOV.WALES

In particular, attention is drawn to:

• Gathering with other people: restrictions from 7 June 2021 | GOV.WALES

Welsh Government has introduced the concept of ‘Regulated gatherings’ and these encompass a broad range of activities that can be attended by people of any age. These include activities that were previously referred to as ‘organised activities’ and allow for larger scale events.

Regulated gatherings are those organised by a business, public body or a charitable, benevolent, educational or philanthropic institution, a club or political organisation, or the national governing body of a sport or other activity.

Places of worship and buildings used for community activities, such as church halls, can now be open. Of relevance to local churches, the following activities are now permitted:

• regulated outdoor gatherings with a maximum of 4,000 people of any age (standing) and 10,000 people of any age seated.
• organised indoor activities for up to 30 adults* (children under 11 and those working/volunteering at the activity do not need to be counted in the 30 limit)
• opening to visitors but with access carefully planned and controlled to maintain social distancing
• indoor supervised activities for children (NB this does not include activities such as children’s birthday parties or wider social gatherings of families and friends beyond the existing arrangements for meeting other people outlined in this guidance)
• wedding receptions and funeral wakes but with a limit of 30 people indoors

* NB the maximum number who can attend an act of worship (including weddings and funerals) indoors is limited to the safe capacity of the building rather than to 30 people. The 30-person limit applies to all activities other than worship.

Celebrations and Parties

Regulated gatherings can include celebrations but only if organised by the bodies referred to above. The scope for allowing the hire of premises for celebrations is very limited at this time:

‘Non-regulated gatherings, including celebrations or wider social gatherings of families and friends must follow the arrangements for gathering with other people, which is up to 30 people outdoors’

‘Celebrations or wider social gatherings of families and friends indoors must follow the arrangements for gathering with other people, which is individual household or extended household only in private homes or up to six people from up to six households (not including children under 11 or carers of these households) in regulated premises.’

Wedding receptions and funeral wakes can take place but with a limit of 30 people indoors and 50 outdoors.

All activities (indoors or outdoors) must be accompanied by a risk assessment to decide the best risk mitigation measures for the activity. Social distancing of two metres must be observed at all times for such activities. Welsh Government guidance should be consulted for specific limitations on permitted activities.

Welsh Government guidance is available at:

• Guidance on reopening places of worship: coronavirus | GOV.WALES
• Safe use of multi-purpose community centres (COVID-19) | GOV.WALES

The following Church in Wales guidance on undertaking activities safely is available:

• Opening Churches Guidance Alert Level 2 7 June 2021 (PDF)
  • Covid 19 Opening Churches Guidance Alert Level 2 - Risk Assessment Form (Word)
• Guidance on re-opening of church halls 7 June 2021 (PDF)
  • Guidance on re-opening of church halls - Risk Assessment form (Word)
• Guidance on Celebrating Holy Communion 7 June 2021 (PDF)
• Guidance on Conducting Baptisms 7 June 2021 (PDF)
• Guidance Marriages and Funerals 7 June 2021 (PDF)
• Guidance on Music and the Playing of Organs 7 June 2021 (PDF)
• Guidance on opening churches for visitors 7 June 2021 (PDF)
  • Opening churches for visitors - Risk assessment Form (Word)

These documents are updated regularly as Welsh Government guidance is published so do regularly revisit the pages.

Opening Churches for Worship

Buildings can be opened for worship, funerals and weddings, Welsh Government continues to advise that:

‘Places of worship are able to open for communal worship in all alert levels. While we recognise the importance of communal worship, the advice remains, for people not to congregate whenever possible.

Those who are responsible for places of worship should consider whether there are alternative ways of holding worship services and providing support for each other whilst they are under restrictions. For example, faith leaders may choose to broadcast services without a congregation.’

That is clearly good advice, especially as new variants appear, but the Bishops do feel that, for those churches which can safely do so, a limited number of in-person services is appropriate. Accordingly, those responsible for churches who intend holding services in person, you must:

• Rigorously review and update your risk assessments and consequence risk management measures to ensure that recommended arrangements can be sustained.
• Adjust your arrangements in the light of experience and the observed behaviour of attendees, when open for worship, and make adjustments to prevent lapses. It is vital, despite vaccinations, that social distancing is maintained, face coverings are worn and that hygiene and cleaning standards are fully observed.
• Pay particular attention to arrangements for people to leave your building after services. The end of a service is a particular time when social distancing can be breached. Generally, controlled exit row-by-row is advised. Clergy should generally avoid standing by entrances or exits to meet and greet people as this can create bottlenecks and bunching.
• Strictly observe guidance on the administration of Holy Communion as this is a moment of closer contact. The guidance has been updated to allow for a form of simultaneous administration but generally the advice is still that Communion should be ‘in one kind only’.
• Submit your updated risk assessment to your Archdeacon for approval
• Remember that as an open church you are an exemplar of good behaviour.
• Follow Government and Provincial guidance and do not take chances.

For those churches which cannot safely hold in-person services with the necessary precautions in place, organised outdoor worship may provide a useful first step in bringing back in-person worship.

Vaccination

We celebrate the fact that well over 2 million vaccination first doses (and nearly 2 million second doses) have been administered in Wales. It is important to remember that although vaccination greatly reduces the risk of severe COVID-19, Public Health Wales is still learning about how the vaccine affects transmission of the virus and someone could still pass it on even after being vaccinated.

However, even if someone has received their two vaccine doses, they should still follow the same steps to keep themselves and Wales safe; wearing a mask, keeping a 2m distance, washing their hands regularly and keeping rooms as well ventilated as possible.

Even where a whole congregation has been vaccinated, there should be no relaxation of risk mitigation measures. Vaccination is not a cure but is likely to significantly reduce the impact of the virus on those vaccinated.

Alert Level 2

A Practical Advice Update 17th May 2021

Wales is now at Alert Level 2 and Welsh Government has set out the next steps of relaxing restrictions. Alert Level 2 does mean that a wider range of activities are permitted but restrictions on how these activities are undertaken remain.

Details of what Alert Level 2 means in Wales can be found at:

• Alert level 2 | Sub-topic | GOV.WALES

In particular, attention is drawn to:

• Gathering with other people: alert level 2 | GOV.WALES

Places of worship and buildings used for community activities, such as church halls, can now be open. Of relevance to local churches, the following activities are now permitted:

• organised outdoor activities for up to 50 people
• organised indoor activities for up to 30 adults
• opening to visitors but with access carefully planned and controlled to maintain social distancing
• indoor supervised activities for children (NB this does not include activities such as children’s birthday parties or wider social gatherings of families and friends beyond the existing arrangements for meeting other people outlined in this guidance)
• wedding receptions and funeral wakes but with a limit of 30 people indoors and 50 outdoors.

NB Organised activities encompass a broad range of activities that can be attended by people of any age but do not include activities such as parties or wider social gatherings of families and friends beyond the arrangements for meeting other people. An organised activity must be organised by a business, public body or a charitable, benevolent, educational or philanthropic institution, a club or political organisation, or the national governing body of a sport or other activity.

All activities must be accompanied by a risk assessment (Word) to decide the best risk mitigation measures for the activity. Social distancing of two metres must be observed at all times for such activities. Welsh Government guidance should be consulted for specific limitations on permitted activities.

Welsh Government guidance is available at:

• Guidance on reopening places of worship: coronavirus | GOV.WALES
• Safe use of multi-purpose community centres (COVID-19) | GOV.WALES

The following Church in Wales guidance on undertaking activities safely is available:

• Opening Churches Guidance Alert Level 2 (PDF)
• Guidance on re-opening of church halls 17 May 2021 (PDF)
• Guidance on Celebrating Holy Communion May 2021 (PDF)
• Guidance on Conducting Baptisms 17 May 2021 (PDF)
• Guidance Marriages and Funerals 17 May 2021 (PDF)
  • Marriages and Funerals Risk Assessment Form 17 May 2021 (WORD)
• Guidance on Music and the Playing of Organs 17 May 2021 (PDF)
• Guidance on opening churches for visitors 17 May 2021 (PDF)

These documents are updated regularly as Welsh Government guidance is published so do regularly revisit the pages.

Opening Churches for Worship

Whilst places of worship can, by law, be open for worship, funerals and weddings, Welsh Government continues to advise that even at Alert Level 2, that:

‘..wherever possible we still advise that people avoid congregating with people they do not live with. For example, faith leaders may still choose to broadcast (without a congregation) an act of worship whether over the internet or as part of a radio or television broadcast. Weddings and funerals may also be broadcast from places of worship.’

That is clearly good advice, especially as new variants appear, but the Bishops do feel that, for those churches which can safely do so, a resumption of a limited number of in-person services is now more appropriate. Accordingly, those responsible for churches who intend holding services in person, you must:

• Rigorously review and update your risk assessments and consequence risk management measures to ensure that recommended arrangements can be sustained.
• Adjust your arrangements in the light of experience and the observed behaviour of attendees, when open for worship, and make adjustments to prevent lapses. It is vital, despite vaccinations, that social distancing is maintained, face coverings are worn and that hygiene and cleaning standards are fully observed.
• Pay particular attention to arrangements for people to leave your building after services. The end of a service is a particular time when social distancing can be breached. Generally, controlled exit row-by-row is advised. Clergy should generally avoid standing by entrances or exits to meet and greet people as this can create bottlenecks and bunching.
• Strictly observe guidance on the administration of Holy Communion as this is a moment of closer contact. The guidance has been updated to allow for a form of simultaneous administration but generally the advice is still that Communion should be ‘in one kind only’.
• Submit your updated risk assessment (Word) to your Archdeacon for approval
• Remember that as an open church you are an exemplar of good behaviour.
• Follow Government and Provincial guidance and do not take chances.

For those churches which cannot safely hold in-person services with the necessary precautions in place, organised outdoor worship may provide a useful first step in bringing back in-person worship.

Vaccination

We celebrate the fact that well over 2 million vaccination first doses have been administered in Wales. It is important to remember that although vaccination greatly reduces the risk of severe COVID-19, Public Health Wales is still learning about how the vaccine affects transmission of the virus and someone could still pass it on even after being vaccinated.

However, even if someone has received their two vaccine doses, they should still follow the same steps to keep themselves and Wales safe; wearing a mask, keeping a 2m distance, washing their hands regularly and keeping rooms as well ventilated as possible.

Even where a whole congregation has been vaccinated, there should be no relaxation of risk mitigation measures. Vaccination is not a cure but is likely to significantly reduce the impact of the virus on those vaccinated.

Guidance on re-opening of church halls and community centres

During move from alert level 4 to alert level 3

• Visit: Guidance on re-opening of church halls and community centres

Moving from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3

A Practical Advice Update

Wales remains at Alert Level 4 but Welsh Government has set out the next anticipated steps of relaxing restrictions towards Alert Level 3.

From 26 April, the following activities are permitted:

• organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people
• outdoor wedding receptions for up to 30 people
• outdoor hospitality can open
• outdoor visitor attractions can open

Organized outdoor activities includes worship. The key point is that such activities are organised i.e planned and controlled by a recognisable body such as the PCC/MAC/LMAC. Such activities should be accompanied by a risk assessment to decide the right risk mitigation measures for the activity. Social distancing of two metres must be observed at all times for such activities. Welsh Government guidance should be consulted for specific limitations on permitted activities.

From the 3rd May, the following activities will be possible:

• The resumption of indoor supervised activities for children
• Indoor organised activities for up to 15 adults (such as exercise classes and swimming lessons)
• And the re-opening of community centres.

Welsh Government guidance is available at:

• Guidance on reopening places of worship: coronavirus | GOV.WALES
• Safe use of multi-purpose community centres (COVID-19) | GOV.WALES

The following Church in Wales guidance on undertaking activities safely is available:

• Opening Churches Guidance Alert Level 4 moving to 3 (PDF)
• Guidance on re-opening of church halls 3 May 2021 (Word)
• Guidance on Celebrating Holy Communion 26 April 2021 (PDF)
• Guidance on Conducting Baptisms 26 April 2021 (PDF)
• Guidance Marriages and Funerals 26 April 2021 (PDF)
• Guidance on Music and the Playing of Organs 26 April 2021 (PDF)

These documents are updated regularly as Welsh Government guidance is published so do regularly revisit the pages. Welsh Government guidance is available at:

• Guidance on reopening places of worship: coronavirus | GOV.WALES

Buildings will be able to open for limited community use from 3 May. Welsh Government guidance is available at:

• Safe use of multi-purpose community centres (COVID-19) | GOV.WALES

This guidance has not yet been updated to reflect the changes at 3 May but does give a general steer on key considerations in opening for community use. Church in Wales guidance on opening Church Halls will be published as soon as clearer guidance is available.

Opening Churches for Worship

Whilst places of worship can, by law, be open for worship, funerals and weddings, Welsh Government continues to advise, during Alert Level 4, that:

those who are responsible for places of worship should consider whether there are alternative ways of holding worship services.

That is clearly sensible advice but the Bishops do feel that, for those churches which can safely do so, a resumption of a limited number of in-person services may now be more appropriate. Accordingly, those responsible for churches who intend holding services in person, you must:

• Rigorously review and update your risk assessments and consequence risk management measures to ensure that recommended arrangements can be sustained.
• Adjust your arrangements in the light of experience and the observed behaviour of attendees, when open for worship, and make adjustments to prevent lapses. It is vital, despite vaccinations, that social distancing is maintained, face coverings are worn and that hygiene and cleaning standards are fully observed.
• Pay particular attention to arrangements for people to leave your building after services. The end of a service is a particular time when social distancing can be breached. Generally, controlled exit row-by-row is advised. Clergy should generally avoid standing by entrances or exits to meet and greet people as this can create bottlenecks and bunching.
• Strictly observe guidance on the administration of Holy Communion (still in one kind only) as this is a moment of closer contact.
• Submit your updated risk assessment to your Archdeacon for approval
• Remember that as an open church you are an exemplar of good behaviour.
• Follow Government and Provincial guidance and do not take chances.

For those churches which cannot safely hold in-person services with the necessary precautions in place, organised outdoor worship may provide a useful first step in bringing back in-person worship.

Vaccination

We celebrate the fact that well over 1.6 million vaccination first doses have been administered in Wales. It is important to remember that although vaccination greatly reduces the risk of severe COVID-19, Public Health Wales is still learning about how the vaccine affects transmission of the virus and someone could still pass it on even after being vaccinated.

However, even if someone has received their two vaccine doses, they should still follow the same steps to keep themselves and Wales safe; wearing a mask, keeping a 2m distance, washing their hands regularly and keeping rooms as well ventilated as possible.

Even where a whole congregation has been vaccinated, there should be no relaxation of risk mitigation measures. Vaccination is not a cure but is likely to significantly reduce the impact of the virus on those vaccinated.

Download

• Moving from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3: A Practical Advice Update (PDF)