Please familiarise yourself with this information before attending a live service at Hope Church.
Full responses from the official CoE guidance can be found here. If you still have any questions after reading this information. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch
How many people can attend services?
The government has advised that communal worship limits should be decided locally on the basis of the capacity of the place of worship. We have decided numbers using our risk assessment.
Do we have to keep a register of who attends our church buildings?
In line with other government guidance for other venues we are advised to keep an accurate temporary record of visitors for 21 days to assist NHS Test and Trace.
Should people wear face coverings?
Face coverings are currently mandatory on public transport and in a range of indoor venues including places of worship and church halls. While there are exemptions, this is a legal requirement. Those who are leading services, and those who assist them (for instance by reading, preaching, or leading prayer) do not always need to wear a face covering, although one should be worn especially if physical distancing cannot be maintained. These exemptions are made to enable communication, particularly with those who rely on lip- reading, facial expressions or clear sound.
What about hygiene?
On entering and leaving the church buildings everyone, including staff and volunteers, should use hand sanitiser. There are signs and posters on safe hygiene practices.
Are the toilets open?
Toilets will be kept open, but carefully managed to reduce the risk of transmission. Please only use them for emergencies.
What about Congregation members over 70 or clinically vulnerable, those who may have symptoms, and those self-isolating?
Individuals who fall within this group are advised to stay at home as much as possible and, if they do go out, to take particular care to minimise contact with others outside of their household. Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 (a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell) should not attend services due to the risk that they pose to others; they should self-isolate at home immediately with other members of their household. Remote participation should be considered.
Can we use bibles and hymn books etc?
It is best not to use communal service sheets or books that can be touched repeatedly by different individuals, and which may be difficult to clean. People are encouraged to bring their own bibles and take them home with them.
Can the Congregation sing?
It is now permissible for both professional and non-professional singers and musicians to perform in small groups to people inside and outside of buildings in line with the recommendations for physical distancing and hygiene set out by the Government. This includes those who regularly volunteer to do music and singing, as part of a choir for example, to perform as a part of worship. Congregations are still at this time not permitted to sing as part of worship.
Those assisting with worship through music or singing do not always need to wear a face covering, but face coverings or screens should be used if physical distancing cannot be maintained.
What about seating arrangements?
People from the same household or “bubble” can sit together. Everyone else will need to observe appropriate physical distancing at all times.
Can we pass a collection plate during the service?
Cash donations should be collected in a receptacle that is set in one place and will be handled by one individual only. Contactless giving will eventually be made available again.
Will there be refreshments?
Hospitality spaces within a place of worship, such as cafes, are permitted to open but should be limited to table-service. For this reason, we will not be serving tea/coffee for the foreseeable.
What if someone becomes unwell whilst in a church building.
If anyone becomes unwell with symptoms of COVID-19 in a church building they should go home immediately and are advised to follow the stay at home guidance. If they need clinical advice, they should go online to NHS 111 (or call 111 if they don’t have internet access). In an emergency, call 999 if they are seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk. They should not visit the GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or a hospital.
Other people who may have been in contact with the person who has become unwell should wash their hands thoroughly after the interaction, but they do not need to take any other specific action unless they develop symptoms themselves or are advised to do so by NHS Test and Trace. If they do develop symptoms they should follow the stay at home guidance.
The church will then be cleaned in line with Government guidance where a suspected case of COVID- 19 has been recorded.
What about other Christian groups that use the church building for worship?
Other groups must undertake to conduct their own risk assessment and observe physical distancing and Public Health guidance.