- • music plays a big part in worship, and recordings are available, we suggest you • music plays a big part in worship, and recordings are available, we suggest you consider using these as an alternative to live singing to mitigate risks.
- • instrument played during worship should be cleaned thoroughly before and after use. • instrument played during worship should be cleaned thoroughly before and after use.
- • playing music at a volume that makes normal conversation difficult or that may • playing music at a volume that makes normal conversation difficult or that may encourage shouting when people will be trying to converse before or after worship.

What the congregation can and cannot do

- • should avoid singing, shouting and raising voices. This is because of the potential for • should avoid singing, shouting and raising voices. This is because of the potential for increased risk of transmission from aerosol and droplets.
- • such as singing, chanting, shouting and/or playing of instruments that are blown into • such as singing, chanting, shouting and/or playing of instruments that are blown into should be specifically avoided by congregations/worshippers. This is because there is a possible additional risk of transmission in environments where individuals are singing or chanting as a group, and this applies even if social distancing is being observed or face coverings are used.
- • spoken responses during worship should also not be in a raised voice. • spoken responses during worship should also not be in a raised voice.

### Outdoor worship

#### In the grounds of a place of worship

- • law allows for multiple groups to pray in a place of worship or its grounds. • law allows for multiple groups to pray in a place of worship or its grounds.
- • medium COVID local alert level areas, the law allows for multiple groups of six people to • medium COVID local alert level areas, the law allows for multiple groups of six people to participate, provided that these groups do not mingle.
- • high or very high level areas, the law allows for multiple groups of different households and • high or very high level areas, the law allows for multiple groups of different households and support bubbles to participate, provided that these groups do not mingle.
- • risk assessment must be conducted and COVID-19 secure measures implemented. The • risk assessment must be conducted and COVID-19 secure measures implemented. The number of people who are able to gather will therefore be dependent on the size of the space available.

#### Public outdoor spaces

- • acts of worship taking place away from the place of worship and surrounding grounds • acts of worship taking place away from the place of worship and surrounding grounds please follow the relevant guidance on the number of people permitted to gather in those spaces.

### Young people and children attending places of worship

- • children’s activities can take place within a place of worship, and are limited to the • children’s activities can take place within a place of worship, and are limited to the number of people who can safely social distance in the venue in line with COVID-19 secure guidance. These can include, but not limited to, activities such as mother and baby groups, youth groups and classes.
- • adults are supervising young children, they should maintain social distancing from • adults are supervising young children, they should maintain social distancing from adults from other households.
- • shared facilities for children, such as play corners, soft furnishings, soft toys and toys that • shared facilities for children, such as play corners, soft furnishings, soft toys and toys that are hard to clean, should be removed and/or put out of use.

### Face coverings

In England, face coverings are currently required by law to be worn in places of worship. England, face coverings are currently required by law to be worn in places of worship. There are valid exemptions for some individuals and groups to not wear a face covering in these settings. In particular, those who are leading services or events in a place of worship, and those who assist them (for instance by reading, preaching, or leading prayer) do not always need to wear a face covering, although one should be worn especially if physical distancing cannot be maintained (i.e. distributing