This guidance is to help ministers and their congregations to understand the current advice on

wearing 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 in

supermarkets. People are also encouraged to wear face coverings in enclosed

public 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 other

people 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 regular

hand 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 or

single-use face coverings. You may also use a scarf, bandana, religious garment or hand-made cloth

covering 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 social

care settings. We do not recommend the use of PPE in church buildings other than for specialist

cleaning 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 a

face covering can reduce the spread of coronavirus droplets in certain circumstances, helping to

protect others.