This guidance is to help ministers and their congregations to understand the current advice onwearing face coverings, and how this applies in churches. 1. Q. Should I wear a face covering in a church building?A. Face coverings are currently mandatory on public transport and in shops and insupermarkets. People are also encouraged to wear face coverings in enclosedpublic spaces where there are people they do not normally meet, such as a place of worship.We strongly advise that face coverings should be worn by all those attending a place of worship,including ministers, worshippers, staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors, where there may be otherpeople present; remembering that they are mainly intended to protect other people, not the wearer,from coronavirus COVID-19 and that they are not a replacement for physical distancing and regularhand washing.2. Q. What is a face covering?A. A face covering is something which safely covers the nose and mouth. You can buy reusable orsingle-use face coverings. You may also use a scarf, bandana, religious garment or hand-made clothcovering but these must securely fit round the side of the face.These are different from surgical and other face masks that are part of PPE used in health and socialcare settings. We do not recommend the use of PPE in church buildings other than for specialistcleaning activities.3. Q. Why should we wear face coverings?A. Coronavirus (COVID-19) can spread predominantly by droplets and perhaps aerosols from coughs,sneezes and speaking. The best available scientific evidence is that, when used correctly, wearing aface covering can reduce the spread of coronavirus droplets in certain circumstances, helping toprotect others.
Baptism in churchWe are now in a position to share what is allowed for a baptism/christening in church at All Saints Denaby Main.We are strictly following the Church of England advice as a result of the virus and after completing a risk assessment for the building.We can allow in 18 people including children. The parents and child/children will be counted as one. Only one baptism will occur on a Sunday to reduce the risk of any infection spreading. We realise these are very low numbers but we must follow the guidelines. We need time to wipe down the pews after the morning service. There is a hand sanitiser at the main door. People must only sit where allocated and where it is clean. The priest cannot hold the baby. A parent or godparent must do that. The service would take place at noon. You as the people arranging the service will be asked to have the contact details of all those attending in case, at the worst, if someone was found to have the virus, we could contact them. No one with any symptoms should attend. If those attending wish to wear masks they can. At the time of writing this it is not compulsory but a 2 metre distancing remains in place. To book a baptism contact Dawn Lawrence on 07510711290
