Coronavirus (covid-19)
Last updated 3 November 2020.
This page links to various resources for Historic Places of Worship during the coronavirus pandemic. There are five sections (scroll down)
1. News on the use of places of worship (England, Scotland, Wales separately)
2. News / gift aid
3. General knowledge hubs / portals
4. Advice from specific bodies, including faith groups and denominations
5. Calls for evidence, surveys, reports (including Government reports)
1. News regarding the use of places of worship (for other news, scroll down)
The easiest way to make sure you are reading the very latest information in full detail is to use the Law and Religion page, which is updated daily; otherwise, for advice and guidance refer to your faith group or denominational guidance (see below under ‘4. Advice from specific bodies’).
ENGLAND
Government
On 3 November Guidance was published for Remembrance Sunday. It says: Local authorities in England and faith leaders can organise outdoor Remembrance Sunday events at a public war memorial or cenotaph, if you complete a COVID-19 risk assessment and take all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of the virus.
On 31 October the Prime Minister announced a four-week lockdown in England from one minute past midnight Thursday 5 November. Government guidelines for places of worship have been published at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november and say:
* Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people, and it is advised that only close friends and family attend. Linked ceremonial events such as stone settings and ash scatterings can also continue with up to 15 people in attendance. Anyone working is not included. Social distancing should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a support bubble.
* Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies will not be permitted to take place except in exceptional circumstances.
* Places of Worship will be closed, unless they are being used for:
- Funerals
- To broadcast acts of worship
- Individual prayer
- Formal childcare or where part of a school
- Essential voluntary and public services, such as blood donation or food banks
- Other exempted activities such as some support groups
Earlier news
From 28 September in England weddings and wedding receptions are limited to fifteen people. The guidance for weddings was published retrospectively on 14 October. Life events which are standalone are limited by the Rule of Six.
From 24 September, certain venues in England must display official NHS test and trace posters. Although places of worship being used as a place of worship are not obliged to carry such posters, they are being encouraged to. When being used for other purposes such as a cafe or tourist destination, they must carry a poster. See here for useful guidance from the Church of England.
Groups of six: On 10 September the Goverment published guidance which will take effect from Monday 14 September, limiting what might loosely be called social groups to a maximum of six in England. The guidance makes clear and it was immediately confirmed that the figure of six does not apply to the number attending religious services (though people should not attend in groups of more than six). Weddings, wedding receptions, funerals and religious “life-cycle events” remain limited to 30 people.
Singing: On 13 August the Goverment published guidance for the performing arts, including singing, in England. This guidance has now been incorporated into individual denominational guidance (scroll down). In essence, congregational singing is still not allowed, but performance by small groups is.
Places of worship (including masks): On 14 August revised Government guidance was published on the safe use of places of worship in England. Regarding masks, in essence congregations wear masks, those leading worship do not. Singing by small groups in front of the congregation is permissible. Musical instruments should be thoroughly cleaned before and after use though no instructions are given for this (see e.g. here).
Church of England advice on heating
The Church of England has published (1 October) advice on heating. It states that it is safe to operate nearly all forms of church heating. No Covid-related concerns have been identified with the use of traditional hot water radiator systems, electric heating (including under pew), underfloor heating, gas heaters, including gas convector heaters and, in a ventilated space, fan convector heaters. In a ventilated space fan convectors can assist with reducing pockets of stagnant air. Just one type of heating, unlikely to be found in traditional buildings, has been identified as a risk: those that take air from one occupied space in a building and move it into another occupied space, i.e. from one room to another.
SCOTLAND
On 25 September The Church of Scotland updated its guidance for re-opening and use of churches.
WALES
Government
Circuit breaker: a ‘circuit breaker’ will come into play in Wales at 6pm on 23 October. Places of worship will not be open to the public, other than for wedding or civil partnership ceremonies or funerals, where people can attend at the invitation of the organiser. Ministers may access the place of worship to broadcast (without a congregation) an act of worship or funeral, whether over the internet or as part of a radio or television broadcast. Wedding receptions and wakes will not be allowed.
Earlier news
Wedding receptions in Wales are limited to 30 people (Guidance, 2 October). The number attending a wedding service depends on the individual building.
On 18 August the Welsh Government updated its guidance on reopening places of worship in Wales. Churches together in Wales have issued (12 August) a useful briefing note on the legal position in Wales regarding reopening places of worship.
2. News / Gift Aid
16 July The Allchurches Trust launched its Hope Beyond grant scheme, aimed at enabling churches and Christian charities to meet changing need within their communities as the longer term impact of Covid-19 becomes clearer.
30 June: The Government published advice for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities, including village halls, in England.
Gift Aid for cash donations after re-opening, if donors combine multiple previous weeks into one gift. The Churches’ Legislation Advisory Service (CLAS) have received a helpful response from HMRC about this potential future problem which may require action in advance to explain to donors what they need to do. Details here.
3. General knowledge hubs/portals (for specific groups, e.g. denominations, scroll down to ‘Advice from specific bodies’)
For copies of the latest law and guidance from a very wide range of sources (including government, and many denominations), see the excellent Law and Religion page.
The Heritage Alliance Coronavirus Hub and Funding Hub (includes links to emergency funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund and the second Historic England emergency reponse fund)
Faith Action collates advice and guidance relating to faith organisations and communities.
The NCVO blog and advice page aimed at voluntary organisations, and the useful guidance from the Charity Tax Group
DCMS list of Treasury financial support relevant to Heritage and covering letter (28 April). This duplicates information available above.
4. Advice from specific bodies, including faith groups and denominations
For copies of the latest law and guidance from a very wide range of sources (including government, and many denominations), see the excellent Law and Religion page.
Ecclesiastical Insurance: coronavirus page and five priorities for managing temporarily closed or unoccupied churches
Historic England advice including caring for historic places
Historic Environment Scotland advice
The Church of England coronavirus page maintains guidance which is for the most part generally applicable to places of worship in England – go to the bottom of that page for documents giving guidance for different types of event. CofE financial advice from Parish Resources; bell ringing advice from the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers; rural church hub from the Arthur Rank Centre. A full Directory of all CofE advice from Law and Religion UK.
Presbyterian Church in Wales advice
Catholic church England and Wales advice
Methodist Church advice (don’t overlook the Property Advice in the left hand column)
Muslim Council of Great Britain advice
Board of Deputies of British Jews link to advice (scroll to bottom of page)
5. Reports and calls for evidence, surveys [none at present, mid October]
The DCMS Select Committee first REPORT on the impact of Covid-19 has been issued. Evidence regarding historic religious buildings was given to the Committee by us (the HRBA), our parent body (The Heritage Alliance), the Church of England, the Association of English Cathedrals, and the Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust.
Historic England REPORT on its survey
National Lottery Heritage Fund REPORT on its survey