Guidance

COVID-19: guidance for the safe use of places of worship and special religious services and gatherings during the pandemic

Guidance to provide advice on how places of worship can open, for limited permitted activities, in a manner that is safe and in line with national lockdown restrictions.

• From: Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (2018 to 2021)
• Published: 4 July 2020
• Last updated: 16 June 2021 — See all updates

This publication was withdrawn on 19 July 2021

This page has been withdrawn because it’s no longer current. Please read the latest step 4 guidance for the safe use of places of worship.

Applies to England

• Publication for Northern Ireland
• Publication for Scotland
• Publication for Wales

Documents

COVID-19: guidance for the safe use of places of worship

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Celebrating religious festivals during coronavirus (COVID-19)

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Details

A new COVID-19 variant is spreading in some parts of England. There may be additional advice for your area. Find out what you need to do.

The guidance provides advice on how places of worship can open, for limited permitted activities, in a manner that is safe and in line with social distancing guidelines.

This guidance is of a general nature and should be treated as a guide. In the event of any conflict between any applicable legislation (including the health and safety legislation) and this guidance, the applicable legislation shall prevail.

This guidance is only applicable in England. For guidance in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, please refer to guidance from the relevant national governments.

Published 4 July 2020
Last updated 16 June 2021 + show all updates

1. 16 June 2021

   Updates to Step 3 regulations announced by the Prime Minister on 14 June.

2. 24 May 2021

   Updated "Celebrating religious festivals during coronavirus (COVID-19)" to incorporate the adjustments set out in step 3 of the roadmap to reopening.

3. 14 May 2021

   "COVID-19: guidance for the safe use of places of worship" updated to incorporate the adjustments set out in step 3 of the roadmap to reopening.

4. 12 April 2021

   Main guidance updated to reflect the changes at Step 2 of the Roadmap published by the Prime Minister on 22 February.

5. 9 April 2021

   To incorporate the changes at Steps 1 and 2 of the Roadmap published by the Prime Minister on 22 February.

6. 26 March 2021

   To incorporate the changes at Step 1 of the Roadmap published by the Prime Minister on 26 February.

7. 19 January 2021

   Updated: Celebrating religious festivals during coronavirus (COVID-19).

8. 11 January 2021

   Guidance on Singing, chanting and the use of musical instruments has been updated.

9. 11 January 2021

   Amendments to reflect the revised national lockdown regulations which came into force on 6 January 2021.

10. 22 December 2020

    To incorporate the announcement of Tier 4 restrictions by the PM on 19 December 2020.

11. 10 December 2020

    Added guidance on Celebrating religious festivals during coronavirus (COVID-19).

12. 1 December 2020

    Guidance amended in line with regulations being laid before Parliament on 1 December to re-introduce Tiered restrictions in England.

13. 6 November 2020

    'COVID-19: guidance for the safe use of places of worship during the pandemic' updated to incorporate the changes announced by the Prime Minister on 2 November, coming into force on 5 November 2020.

14. 16 October 2020

    Updated special religious services and gatherings checklist, to incorporate changes in regulations announced by the Prime Minister on 12 October 2020.

15. 15 October 2020

    Guidance amended to incorporate the changes to regulations announced by the Prime Minister on 12 October.

16. 8 October 2020

    Updated guidance to incorporate changes in regulations, as they affect places of worship, announced by the Prime Minister on 22 September 2020.

17. 6 October 2020

    Updated the Special religious services and gatherings COVID-19 checklist - to incorporate changes in regulations, as they affect special religious services and gatherings, announced by the Prime Minister on 22 September 2020.

18. 24 September 2020

    Guidance for the safe use of places of worship and special religious services and gatherings during the pandemic: updated to incorporate changes in regulations, announced by the Prime Minister on 22 September 2020.

19. 17 September 2020

    Updated guidance for the safe use of places of worship to incorporate changes in the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 which came into effect on 14 September 2020.

20. 14 September 2020

    Added High Holy Day services and gatherings COVID-19 checklist.

21. 14 August 2020

    Updated to take account of changes in guidance on singing and playing brass and wind instruments in front of an audience and on holding small wedding receptions.

22. 4 August 2020

    Amended in line with the Prime Minister's statement on 31 July.

23. 3 August 2020

    Updated to reflect additional requirements on face coverings and amendments to 1 August 2020 easings.

24. 27 July 2020

    Added checklist for special religious services and gatherings.

25. 17 July 2020

    Updated to reflect additional requirements on face coverings, and added guided on outdoor worship. Please note, the updated translated versions of the guidance are to be added.

26. 15 July 2020

    Added various foreign language versions: Arabic, Bengali, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, French, Gujarati, Polish, Portugese, Punjabi, Romanian, Somali, Urdu.

27. 9 July 2020

    Updated section on singing, chanting and the use of musical instruments.

28. 4 July 2020

    First published.