consumables) This exemption does not apply to worshippers, who should wear face coverings consistent with the requirements for any other public space.

### Restrictions on capacity

Limits for communal worship should be decided locally on the basis of the capacity of the place of worship following an assessment of risk. The number of people permitted to enter the place of worship at any one time should be limited, should maintain social distancing between households or support bubbles.

- • size and circumstance (including ventilation) of the premises will determine the maximum • size and circumstance (including ventilation) of the premises will determine the maximum number of people that can be accommodated whilst also facilitating social distancing; this may therefore be lower than the maximum 30 people who can attend a funeral, or the 15 who may attend a wedding.
- • safe number of people should be decided by the venue manager. • safe number of people should be decided by the venue manager.
- • defining the number of people that can reasonably follow social distancing, the total • defining the number of people that can reasonably follow social distancing, the total floorspace as well as likely pinch points and busy areas should be taken into account (such as entrances, exits) and where possible alternative or one-way routes introduced.

### Social distancing

All managers and all visitors to a place of worship must follow the law and should follow the guidance on social distancing including:

- • to social distancing, meaning people should be 2 metres apart or more than 1 metre • to social distancing, meaning people should be 2 metres apart or more than 1 metre apart as well as taking extra steps to stay safe (such as wearing face coverings) to reduce the risk of transmission.
- • frequently used places, mark areas using floor tape or paint to help people maintain social • frequently used places, mark areas using floor tape or paint to help people maintain social distance.
- • that groups attending communal worship together do not exceed more than 6 people • that groups attending communal worship together do not exceed more than 6 people per group. In medium local alert level areas, the law allows for multiple groups of 6 people to participate, provided that these groups do not mingle. Any group of 6 can be made up of people from different households. In high or very high level areas, the law allows for multiple households and support bubbles to participate, provided that these groups do not mingle. Strict social distancing must be maintained between members of different households at all times.
- • only exception to this where a single household or support bubble is larger than 6 people. • only exception to this where a single household or support bubble is larger than 6 people. In this case, the single household or support bubble may attend communal worship together.

You should consider and set out the additional actions you will take to reduce the risk of transmission in your risk assessment. These could include, for instance, avoiding any face-to-face seating by changing layouts, reducing the number of people in enclosed spaces, improving ventilation, using protective screens and face coverings, and closing non-essential social spaces, as outlined throughout this guidance.

Queue management is important so the flow of groups in and out of the premises can be carefully controlled in a socially distanced way, reducing the risk of congestion or contact. Considerations should be made for how to manage those waiting outside a place of worship, including the introduction of socially distanced queuing systems.

Other actions to take to reduce the risk of transmission to support social distancing could include:

- • leading the worship reminding congregants of the importance of social distancing and • leading the worship reminding congregants of the importance of social distancing and hygiene.