Coronavirus Guidance and Resources For Churches

CofE Covid guidance update: Tuesday 30 November, 16.23

1 December 2021

Following the publication of new Government Covid guidance, the CofE national team have updated their document titled,

• ‘COVID-19 Opening and managing church buildings’

Your Area Dean or Archdeacon Jenny, are available to discuss specific situations, please do not hesitate to contact them for support.

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Changes to UK Government Covid measures from 30 November 2021

30 November 2021

The Prime Minister has announced new measures in response to the Omicron variant. From Tuesday, November 30, people living in England must wear masks when shopping or using public transport. School children in Year 7 and above to wear facemask in communal school areas. And Hairdressers, banks and post office locations will also require them.

Bishop Sarah Mullally has issued a statement, and with regards to the National CofE guidance, states, 

“… we should also continue to take other public health precautions that, by now, are very familiar, such as regular hand-washing, observing physical distancing and ensuring good ventilation indoors. If you are eligible, please also have your booster jab as soon as it is available. Meanwhile we are awaiting any new Government regulations and guidance and will update our advice for churches accordingly.”

Links to new CofE guidance will be published in an Update, as they become available. Your Area Dean or Archdeacon Jenny, are available to discuss specific situations, please do not hesitate to contact them for support.

The full statement from Bishop Sarah can be read on the CofE website

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HM Government Covid-19 Response: Autumn Winter Plan

15 September 2021

Yesterday afternoon HM Government published the UK Covid-19 Response: Autumn Winter Plan.

‘the last 18 months have shown the pandemic can change course rapidly and unexpectedly and it remains hard to predict with certainty what will happen … In addition, winter is always a challenging time for the NHS.’

The full UK Covid-19 Response: Autumn  Winter Plan document can be obtained from the gov.uk website.

The national CofE have issued the following statement, published on their coronavirus guidance page.

‘We welcome the publication of the Government's Autumn and Winter plan, recognising the very positive effects of the vaccination campaign and also the ongoing risks posed by Covid-19. We note the Government's commitment that communal worship, weddings, funerals and other commemorative events would not become subject to vaccination certification, even under 'Plan B'. We will continue to monitor the situation as we move towards Christmas.’

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Please find below links to key coronavirus guidance:

+ For Hygiene & Prevention Posters click here

+ For Government Updates click here

+ For Government guidance relating to working safely during Covid-19, including advice for weddings, civil partnership ceremonies, receptions and celebrations

+ For National Church of England Updates click here

+ For NHS Updates click here