The Diocesean Secretary, in consultation with the archdeacons, has issued the following guidance in response to a number of questions from parishes.
From George Colville, Diocesan Secretary:
We are receiving a number of questions about what is possible with the “rule of six” and also “lockdown areas". The situation is currently unclear and we are dependent on Government and National Church guidance.
The Government has issued the following guidance which seems most relevant.
Local lockdown
This refers only to the law prohibiting “in private homes and gardens”, however North West of England: local restrictions advises against socialising in other places and specifically mentions places of worship.
We don’t think, therefore, that this will impact activity which is not socialising in a Church building or Hall, but it is likely to impact activity like home groups that take place in private homes. Also, the advice is against social activities in a Church building or Hall.Meeting with others safely (social distancing)
What you can and can’t do
These refer to an exemption for “for work, or the provision of voluntary or charitable services”. The second goes into more detail about work and makes clear that work activity can continue subject to the relevant government guidance.The Government has also updated safe use of community facilities.
In section 3d, this refers to meetings like “meetings of civic, political or community groups (e.g. parish council meeting, ward meeting of political party, charity board of trustees)” as being permissible, but also states that: “We continue to recommend that where meetings can take place digitally without the need for face-to-face contact, they should continue to do so. Where community facilities need to be used for physical meetings, these meetings should be managed within the social distancing guidance and principles set out above.”The guidance is complex and unclear in places but currently our best guess is that activities such as APCMs and PCC meetings can still be held in person with appropriate social distancing. Other activity of a more social nature such as a coffee mornings appear, at present, not to be possible in groups of more than six. PCCs will need to make their best judgements according to the advice above on other activities.
The National Church institutions have updated some of their guidance, we expect further updates and we advise that this page is regularly checked for the latest information.
We are also very aware that this is a fast moving situation and this guidance could be out of date very quickly given recent developments.