Last updated 6th July 2020
This page provide advice on how to care for chuch buildings and grounds whilst they are closed for worship
You will be used to managing your buildings. However there are things that you may wish to consider as you plan for their management as we move out of lokdown
The national Church of England has produced some updated advice here on churchyards as we come out of lockdown.
On 23rd June it was announced that the earliest date for re-opening churches for public worship in a Covid-safe maner was 4th July. The Government released its advice on 26th June and can be found here.
The House of Bishops have provided a response to the government guidelines here.
A risk assessment template from the national church can be found here.
There may be times when local or national government advice is amended to respond to the local situation. In those situations the advice for churches may change accordingly.
Please do read the information carefully, noting the following:
Remember that the Government has placed churches in a privileged position by allowing us to break the general rules which do not allow more than two households to occupy the same internal space, so it is important to respect the guidance that allows this.
We are aware that there are many churches who, for very good reasons, are having to delay the re-opening of worship, but it is important to set a direction of travel. To that end we advise parishes who are not starting worship this weekend as follows:
If you can’t re-commence public worship by the end of July then Bishop Julian will need to know. You can either email him direct or send a message to the Coronavirus email address.
The national church have provided a form of words for PCC resolutions about delays to the re-commencement of public worship here