Coronavirus Guidance and Resources For Churches

Please see below updates of important directives and guidance in this fast moving crisis. We trust that these new arrangements will be part of the support for all those serving Jesus Christ in church and society.

Your three key sources of up-to-date advice, guides and instructions:

+ For Government Updates click here

+ For NHS Updates click here

+ For National Church of England Updates click here

Latest Updates

HM Government guidance for Places of Worship updated

01/12/20

HM Government guidance and rules for Places of Worship has been updated and includes,

• Meeting other people in places of worship
• Summary of the position of places of worship
• Communal worship, including prayers, devotions or meditations led by a Minister of Religion or lay person
• Life events
• Other guidance relating to various activity within or linked to a Place of Worship

National CofE are reviewing this publication and will update their CofE guidance pages in the coming days, with detailed FAQs and papers.

The recent Government update can be found here on the Government website.
 
The rules for out of school settings have changed. Detailed guidance and the definition of an ‘out of school setting,’ can be found here on the Government website.
 
Please ensure that the measures identified in your risk assessment are strictly adhered to at all times; your Area Dean or Archdeacon will be pleased to advise on specific questions.

 

Related links and documents

+ COVID-19: Personal Risk Factors (14 .07.20)

+ Resuming public worship in our buildings: update (09.07.20)

+ Government Financial Measures

+ The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

+ The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme FAQs

+ Finances: Loss of Incomes

+ National Lottery Heritage Fund: Emergency Coronavirus Response

+ Multilingual Hygiene & Prevention Posters

+ Easy-to-read Coronavirus Advice: for those with learning disabilities

+ Pathways for accessing support in Birmingham

+ Access to church buildings during lockdown: advice for incumbents

+ Property guidance on construction work resuming | 13 May 2020

+ A statement from Bishop David regarding the recent national CofE announcement about church building access  |  6 May 2020

+ A statement from Bishop David in regard to the continued national lockdown situation | 26 May 2020

+ Access to church buildings during lockdown: advice for incumbents | 26 May 2020

+ Keeping church buildings clean | 26 May 2020

+ Towards re-opening Church Buildings: COVID-19 Risk Assessment Checklist for Parish Churches | 26 May 2020

+ Access to church buildings during lockdown: general advice for incumbents, churchwardens and PCC members | 26 May 2020

+ Click here and here for details of organisations and offered funding support in relation to the COVID-19 Crisis

+ Response to questions regarding Gift Aid Small Donation Scheme

+ Letter to faith groups regarding the pressures placed upon faith communities as a result of social-distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

+ Safeguarding: Engaging with children online

+ Statement from Bishop David re continued national lockdown situation - 26 May 2020

+ UPDATED National CofE advice on COVID-19 - 9 June 2020

+ Opening for private prayer

+ Comment from Bishop David regards 4 July

+ Archdeacons' guidance regards worship services from 4 July

+ Notification of further Recovery Group documents - 2 July 2020

+ Changes to COVID-19 restriction from Monday 14 September

+ Changes to COVID-19 restriction from Monday 28 September

+ ‘3 Tier’ COVID alert system 13 October 2020

+ Bishop David on the recent IICSA report 2 Oct 2020