Covid Changes

As you will have seen on the news, from just after midnight on Saturday morning (5th June), and so applying to Masses next weekend, the following levels will apply:

Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire, and North Lanarkshire will be in level 2. 

Argyll & Bute and West Dunbartonshire will be in Level 1. 
Obviously for East Dunbartonshire & North Lanarkshire there is no change to the current situation.
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For parishes in Glasgow the main change that affects churches is that small choirs can now sing and small bands/groups can now play.

For the parishes in Argyll & Bute and West Dunbartonshire the main changes that affects churches are

1. that congregational singing will now be allowed. It is not mandatory to start congregational singing – you should only do so if you risk assess that it is safe to do so, ensuring good ventilation. We have been told that the congregation also need to keep wearing masks whilst singing, so if it is restarted it may be somewhat muffled! Hymnbooks should still be avoided and if you are using sheets make sure you are complying with the copyright requirements.
2. 100 people can attend weddings and funerals, but only if your church has sufficient socially-distanced space (otherwise the limit will be whatever lower number you can safely hold). You still need to collect all the names and phone numbers for track & trace, so you will need to ensure that your procedures and stewarding can cope with the higher numbers.  

Those areas changing levels may find that the changes affect how many can meet up together, how alcohol can be sold in a hall, etc.
See https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-protection-levels/pages/protection-levels-by-area/ for more details of what can be done.  
With best wishes
Canon Paul Gargaro
Diocesan Coordinator