At this stage the documents are only for planning purposes, so that we can be prepared when restrictions are lifted by the Government, however, all guidance is subject to change following any future Government updates.

It will be up to each diocesan bishop and senior team how they use the guidance to support parishes depending on their local context.

The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, who Chairs the recovery group, said: “the purpose of sharing this guidance is to be as ready as possible for a time when the risk has lowered sufficiently to resume some activities in our church buildings.

“While, of course, the Church is not a building, for many people our sacred spaces are very significant – and we look forward to a time when it is safe for them once again to become meeting places for worship, prayer and all they do to serve and bless their communities.

“We will continue to work with the Government to ensure that we can begin to reopen our places of worship in a phased way as soon as it is deemed safe and practical to do so, and hope that these resources will be of use to worshipping communities as they prepare for this time.”