Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance

View any updates made to the page, with the most recent listed first.

 

3 May 2022

Documents updated:

• Opening and Managing Church Buildings: updated guidance on the administration of Holy Communion to clarify that unless there are clear and objective reasons not to, Holy Communion should now be offered in both kinds to communicants.

 

21 March 2pm

The following documents have been updated to reflect the latest Government advice:

• Opening and managing church buildings
• Risk assessment

 

Thursday 24 February 3pm

Read a message from The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, who has paid tribute to the sacrifices and actions, both big and small, of clergy, front line workers, parishes and communities as the Government's legal restrictions come to end.

This guidance page will remain as a point of reference for the time being, and we are in the process of updating documentation including our advice on church buildings, risk assessment and cleaning church buildings to reflect the current situation.

 

Tuesday 25 January, 13.30

The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, has thanked parishes and the public for their sacrifices as England lifts plan B measures from Thursday 27 January,

Updated documents:

• Please see our latest guidance document for parishes.
   

Thursday 20`January, 15:30

Following the Health Secretary's announcement that England will to return to Plan A from Thursday 27 January, The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, who leads the Church of England’s Covid Recovery Group, said:

"We note the Government's announcement regarding the ending of Plan B measures from next week and will review our advice as soon as detailed guidance is published."


Friday 10 December, 15:11

• Updated Risk Assessment for Opening Church Buildings to the Public during Coronavirus (COVID-19) to take account of the legal requirement to wear face coverings.

Thursday 9 December, 17.20

Updated documents:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Opening and managing church buildings

The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, who leads the Church of England’s Covid Recovery Group, said: "As we look forward to celebrating again the coming of Jesus into our world, we can do so with hope.
"Few of us imagined when we first heard of the coronavirus at the beginning of last year that we would now be approaching our second Christmas of a global pandemic.
"The recent emergence of the new Omicron variant and the evidence we’ve seen already of its rapid spread is a cause of real concern.
"And while we are hugely thankful for the rapid development and mass rollout of the vaccines - and the current booster programme - there are important steps we should take now to protect ourselves and each other.
"As Christians we have a duty to care for one another, especially those who are most vulnerable, and the latest measures announced by the Government should offer some extra protection and reassurance for people.
"Caring for one another, sharing, hope, faith and most of all the knowledge that God is with us are at the heart of Christmas.
"This Christmas we will be coming together – whether in person or online – to worship God and celebrate his coming into the world as a human being like us.
"Amid all that we have been through together in the last two years that hope is as strong as ever."

Tuesday 30 November, 16.23

Following the publication of Government guidance we have updated our advice for churches. 

• Updated guidance on opening churches
• A statement from the Bishop of London

11th November, 15.00

New FAQ

• How do we keep buildings well ventilated in Winter?

Wednesday 3rd November, 11.48

Updated documents:

• Opening and managing church buildings

Monday 4th October, 13.40

New FAQs added:

• Are there specific restrictions for Remembrance Sunday services?
• Will churches use vaccine certification / vaccines passports?
• How do I get a flu vaccine?

Wednesday 22 September, 10:20

New FAQ: 

• What guidance is there for pastoral visiting now to individuals homes and care homes?

Tuesday 14 September, 14.00

Publication of Government's Autumn and Winter plan:

We welcome the publication of the Government's Autumn and Winter plan, recognising the very positive effects of the vaccination campaign and also the ongoing risks posed by Covid-19. We note the Government's commitment that communal worship, weddings, funerals and other commemorative events would not become subject to vaccination certification, even under 'Plan B'. We will continue to monitor the situation as we move towards Christmas.

 

7 September, 12.19

Older and out-of-date documents which had been retained for reference during the first weeks of Stage 4 have now been removed from page

 

1 September, 17.09

• Updated document: Opening and managing church buildings

 

Thursday 22 July, 16.35

• New Q&A added "What is the Church of England's position on 'vaccine passports'?"

 

Monday 19th July, 14.00

Following the lifting of the majority of legal restrictions, guidance and documentation have been updated and streamlined. Non-current documents are still available for reference. 

Please also see a statement from the Bishop of London

 

Monday 19th July, 8.20am

Following the lifting of the majority of legal restrictions today, please see the document below 'Opening and managing church buildings in step 4' for up-to-date guidance. 

The Q&A on this page are under review and out-of-date information will be removed shortly. 

 

Friday 16th July, 16.52pm

The following documents have been published and updated to help churches to prepare for stage 4 of the Government’s roadmap coming into effect on Monday 19 July. Please note that the guidance within them will come into effect on that date, and will be updated to reflect any additional Government guidance.

New documents:

• Opening and managing church buildings in step 4

Updated documents:

• Test and Trace
• Risk assessment template for opening church buildings

Please also see a statement from the Bishop of London

 

Wednesday July 07, 15:48:

The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, who chairs the Church of England’s Covid Recovery Group, commented following the Prime Minister’s press conference outlining plans to lift most restrictions from July 19.

Read her statement here

Updated document:

• Risk assessment template for opening church buildings

Thursday June 24, 14:50:

• FAQ on APCM and PCC meetings updated to reflect current stage of roadmap.

Thursday June 17, 16:58:

Updates following concessions to numerical limits for weddings and commemorative events which come into effect on Monday 21 June.

Updated documents:

• Conducting public worship
• Weddings
• Funerals 

Read a statement from the Bishop of London following the Government announcement of the delay to stage 4.

 

Wednesday May 19, 16:16:

Updated documents:

• Weddings
• Conducting public worship

Updated FAQ:

• Is singing permitted? in the Prayer and worship section

Monday May 17, 16:46:

Updated documents:

• Weddings
• Baptisms
• Funerals 
• Individual private prayer
• Permitted Activities under national 'step' regulations
• Conducting public worship

Updated FAQ:

• Is singing permitted? in the Prayer and worship section

Friday May 14, 15:27

From Monday May 17, England moves to Stage Three of the Government’s ‘reopening’ roadmap. For places of worship this will involve some changes - notably a rise in the numbers permitted at funerals, up to the Covid-safe capacity of the building, and a maximum of 30 attendees at weddings.

Government guidance on Places of Worship is being updated and we will update our guidance accordingly on May 17.

Tuesday 4 May, 00:15

Updated FAQs:

• Can we host children and youth groups? in the Community support section
• How should we complete a risk assessment for our church building? in the Safety, safeguarding and wellbeing section
• What guidance is in place for clergy, church workers and volunteers who are deemed to be at additional risk? in the Safety, safeguarding and wellbeing section

New FAQs

• What resources are available to support mental health and emotional well-being? in the Community support section

Monday 19 April, 15:27

Updated FAQs:

• Is there any guidance concerning our APCM meeting? in the Finance and governance section

Friday 16 April, 14:07

Updated documents:

• Conducting public worship
• Funerals 

Wednesday 14 April, 16:30

Updated FAQs:

• How can I get a lateral flow test? in the General section
• Is singing permitted? in the Prayer and Worship section

Monday 12 April, 13:37

Following the announcement from Buckingham Palace about the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, advice on the current Government guidance on condolence books has been added as well as details of an online book of condolence which is now open.

A statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury

A statement from the Archbishop of York

New FAQ:

• How can we remember the Duke of Edinburgh in our services? in the Prayer and Worship section

Friday 9 April, 14:17

Following the announcement from Buckingham Palace about the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, advice on the current Government guidance on condolence books has been added as well as details of an online book of condolence which is now open.

A statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury

A statement from the Archbishop of York

New FAQ:

• What is the guidance for churches wishing to offer condolence books for HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh?

Wednesday 31 March, 17:25

New Documents:

• Mental Health Support Charities

Updated Documents:

• Conducting public worship
• Weddings
• Outdoor worship and churchyards
• Test and Trace

Update FAQS:

• Is singing permitted? in the Prayer and Worship section
• Is there any guidance concerning our APCM meeting? in Finance and governance section

Last updated: Friday 26 March, 15:11

Updated Documents:

• Conducting public worship
• Weddings

Update FAQS:

• Is singing permitted? in the Prayer and Worship section
• Can weddings go ahead? in Life Events section

Thursday 25 March, 13:37

Updated Documents:

• Permitted Activities under national 'step' regulations
• Advice for Services during Lent, Holy Week and Easter
• Risk assessment template for opening church buildings
• Risk assessment Template for Outdoor Worship

Read about VaccinAid, a campaign launched by Unicef and Crowdfunder, which aims to deliver 2.5 billion vaccines globally and which the Church of England helped to bring about

Monday 22 March, 14.55

New FAQ:

• How can we contribute to vaccination equity campaigns?
• How can I get a lateral flow test?

 

Tuesday 19 January, 10:11

New FAQ:

• What advice is available for services during Lent, Holy Week, and Easter?

New documents:

• Advice for Services during Lent, Holy Week and Easter

Read a response from the Bishop of London to the Prime Minister's statement outlining new restrictions in England

We will continue to review and update advice documents in light of Government guidance.Monday 



Thursday 14 January, 11:52

Updated documents:

• Risk assessment template for opening church buildings
• Risk assessment Template for Outdoor Worship

Tuesday 12 January, 17:44

Updated documents:

• Conducting public worship
• Individual private prayer
• Holy Communion 
• Baptisms 
• Funerals 
• Ordinations and Consecrations 
• Confirmation services 
• Outdoor worship and churchyards
• Opening cathedral and church buildings to the public
• Pastoral support in the community including care homes
• Receiving Holy Communion by simultaneous administration
• Access to church buildings for construction or professional contractors
• Personal risk factors to clergy, church workers and volunteers

Updated/New FAQ:

• Is singing permitted? (in Prayer and worship) - further update in light of amended Government Guidance. 

Monday 11 January, 14.50

Updated/New FAQ:

• Is singing permitted? (in Prayer and worship) - further update in light of amended Government Guidance. 

 

Monday 11 January, 13.45

The Government has today updated its guidance for places of worship

Updated/New FAQ:

• Is singing permitted? (in Prayer and worship)
• Should I work if I’m clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV)? (in Safety, safeguarding & wellbeing)

 

Friday 8 January at 11:49

Updated documents:

• Permitted activities during lockdown

Updated/New FAQ:

• Can we host children's group? in Community support section
• Can weddings go ahead? 

We have streamlined the advice on this page, and will continue to review advice documents in light of Government guidance.

 

Monday 4 January at 21:25

Read a response from the Bishop of London to the Prime Minister's statement outlining new restrictions in England. 

The advice on this page will be reviewed in the coming days in line with Government guidance. 

 

Wednesday 30 December at 15:47

The Government has announced a formal tiering review, whereby more areas have been elevated to tiers 4 and 3. The guidance for places of worship within tiers has not changed at this time, and public worship may continue in all tiers, in line with the Government guidance and the advice below.  

We are also conscious of those who will not wish to attend a church building in light of increased numbers of cases, as well as churches who for different reasons cannot currently safely accommodate public worship.

Many churches continue to offer local streamed worship, together with national online weekly worship and daily audio prayer services via the Time to Pray app and podcast, and the Daily Hope telephone line for any who are unable to access the internet. 

See church online for more details.

 

Tuesday 22 December at 16:59

Read updated Government guidance:

• COVID-19: guidance for the safe use of places of worship
• COVID-19: Guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships

Updated FAQs:

• Can carol singing or carol services take place this Christmas? in the Singing, Carol Services & key Christmas considerations section
• What is permitted in my tier? in the Singing, Carol Services & key Christmas considerations section
• Who can attend church as part of a Christmas bubble (25 December) in the Singing, Carol Services & key Christmas considerations section
• Can weddings and funerals go ahead? in the Life Events section

 

Monday 21 December at 16:02

Updated documents:

• Permitted Activities under the Tier System

Thursday 17 December at 16:36

Updated documents: 

• Opening cathedral and church buildings to the public
• Permitted Activities under the 3 Tier System
• Mission and Ministry with Children, Young People & Families

Wednesday 09 December at 17:54

Updated Documents:

• Holy Communion
• Opening cathedral and church buildings to the public

Tuesday 08 December at 14:13

Following the publication of the Government's guidance for Places of Worship, we are updating all our documentation to ensure it is in line with current guidance. The following updates have recently been made. The top box in each document details any changes:

New Documents:

• Vaccines update
• Churches as vaccination centres

Updated Documents:

• Church Heating
• Opening church buildings for works to the building and interior
• Permissions for temporary works in churches and cathedrals
• Holy Communion
• Ordinations and Consecrations
• Legal questions on conducting public worship
• Personal risk factors to clergy, church workers and volunteers
• Permitted Activities under the 3 Tier System
• Test and Trace
• Live streaming Worship
• Individual private prayer
• Face coverings
• Funerals
• Confirmation services
• Weddings
• Baptisms
• Pastoral support in the community including care homes

Wednesday 02 December at 18:45

Following the publication of the Government's guidance for Places of Worship, the following updates have been made:

New/updated Q&A

• Can carol singing or carol services take place this Christmas?
• What is permitted in my tier?
• Who can attend church as part of a Christmas Bubble?
• Can churches hold services of worship?
• What guidance is available for Holy Communion?
• Can weddings and funerals go ahead?
   

New Documents:

• Christmas bubbles
• Risk assessment Template for Outdoor Worship
• Receiving Holy Communion by simultaneous administration

Updated Documents:

• Conducting public worship
• Keeping church buildings clean
• Outdoor worship and churchyards
• Risk assessment template for opening church buildings
• Permitted Activities under the 3 Tier System

Sunday 29 November

New FAQs added following the publication of Government guidance:

• Can carol singing or carol services take place this Christmas? 
• Are nativity plays possible in church?

Thursday 12 November at 16:29

New FAQs:

• Can I still undertake pastoral visiting under the new restrictions? in the Community support section

Friday 06 November at 17:38

New Documents:

• New Lockdown Guidance
• Live streaming Worship

Updated Documents:

• Risk assessment template for opening church buildings

Updated FAQs:

• Is there guidance on live streaming from church buildings? in the Prayer and worship section

13:05

New FAQs:

• What youth and children’s activities can take place during the new national lockdown? in the Schools, nurseries and youth provision section

Updated FAQs:

• Can we still hold a Remembrance Sunday service? in the Prayer and worship section

Thursday 05 November at 14:34

Updated FAQs:

• Can the building still be used for a night shelter? in the Community Support section

Tuesday 03 November at 14:12

Updated FAQs:

• Can we still hold a remembrance Sunday service? in the Prayer and worship section

Monday 19 October at 14:21

Updated Documents:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice on Ordinations and Consecrations
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice on Conducting Public Worship
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice on Conducting Funerals
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice for the Conduct of a Confirmation Service
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice for Clergy Conducting Baptisms

Friday 16 October at 16:40

Since Wednesday 14 October, a new three-tier risk alert system for COVID-19 has been in place in England. View our at-a-glance guide to the restrictions for churches. We will study Government detailed Government guidance when it is available and amend our advice as necessary.

New FAQs:

• Who can attend a wedding? in the Life events section
• What should I do if a member of my congregation tests positive for COVID-19? in the General section

Updated Documents:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice on Conducting Weddings

Thursday 15 October at 15:40

Updated FAQs:

• Can we still hold a Remembrance Sunday service? in the Prayer and worship section

Updated documents:

• COVID-19 Advice for clergy conducting weddings

Monday 12 October at 10:37

Updated FAQs:

• Advice on NHS Test and Trace in the What to do in the even of a local outbreak section
• What are the first steps in the event of a local outbreak? in the What to do in the even of a local outbreak section

Friday 2 October at 11:07

New FAQs:

• Can we turn our heating on? in the Fabric and building maintenance section

Updated Documents:

• Outdoor Worship and Churchyards
• Mission and ministry with children and young people

New Documents:

• Church Heating

Friday 25 September at 16:00

New FAQs:

• Can we still hold a Remembrance Sunday service? in the Prayer and worship section
• Can confirmations still go ahead? in the Life events section

Updated FAQs:

• Can funerals still go ahead? in the Life events section 
• Can weddings still go ahead? in the Life events section 
• Can baptisms still go ahead? in the Life events section
• Can ordinations still go ahead? in the Life events section

Updated Documents:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice on Ordinations and Consecrations
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice on the Conduct of Public Worship
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice on Conducting Funerals
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice for the conduct of a Confirmation service
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Opening cathedral and church buildings to the public advice
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice on Conducting Weddings
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice on Conducting Baptisms

Thursday 24 September at 15:50

New FAQs:

• What guidance is there for Fresh Expressions? under Prayer and worship section
• If a life cycle event does not traditionally happen during communal worship does that mean it is limited to 6 people attending? under Life events section
• How can parishes plan ahead? under General section

New Documents:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice on Fresh Expressions of Church
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice on Parish Continuity Plans

Updated FAQs:

• Can ordinations still go ahead? under Life events section

Wednesday 23 September at 13:30

Updated FAQs:

• Can baptisms still go ahead? in the Life Events section
• Can ordinations still go ahead? in the Life Events section
• Advice on NHS Test & Trace in the General section (previously Is there advice on how to collect NHS Test and Trace data?)

Updated documents:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) NHS Test and Trace

Updated Tuesday September 22 at 14.25

Following the announcement by the Prime Minister of new measures to limit the spread of coronavirus, the Church of England is continuing to engage with Government departments to review advice to churches. 

The Prime Minister emphasised that we can draw comfort from the fact that places of worship as well as schools and businesses are staying open.

We note the change from a maximum of 30 attending weddings to a maximum of 15 from Monday September 28 and will study any detailed documents when they are available and amend advice to churches accordingly.

We anticipate further updates in the next few days with further additions to the FAQs and we also continue to review the downloadable guidance papers which will be updated accordingly. All updates will be notified at the top of this page.

Friday September 18 at 16:45

Updated Document:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice on the Conduct of Public Worship

Updated FAQ:

• How does the 'rule of six' apply to choirs? in the Prayer and worship section (previously Can a choir sing during worship if there are more than six members? and Can a choir rehearse?)

Thursday September 17 at 14:40

New FAQs:

• How does the new ‘rule of six’ affect regular church services? in The rule of six section
• Are places of worship exempt from the ‘rule of six’? in The rule of six section
• Can Bible study groups or home groups now meet in person? in Prayer and worship section
• Can a choir sing during worship if there are more than six members? in Prayer and worship section
• Can a choir rehearse? in Prayer and worship section

Updated FAQs:

• Can churches open for individual prayer? in Prayer and worship section
• Can churches hold services of worship? in Prayer and worship section
• Can we have worship outside? in Prayer and worship section
• Can funerals still go ahead? in Life events section
• Can weddings still go ahead? in Life events section
• Can baptisms still go ahead? in Life events section
• Can ordinations still go ahead? in Life events section

Thursday 03 September at 12:05

• Updated FAQ Should we still deliver printed communication? in General section

Tuesday 25 August at 9:10

• Updated FAQ Can church bells be rung? in Prayer and worship section

Thursday 20 August at 9:20

• Updated Conducting public worship document
• Updated FAQ Can a choir sing during worship? in Prayer and worship section

Tuesday 18 August at 12:57

• Updated Conducting public worship document

Monday 17 August at 14:32

• Updated Baptisms document
• Updated Weddings document
• Updated Funerals document
• Updated Holy Communion document
• Updated Confirmation services document
• Updated Ordinations and Consecrations document
• Updated Pastoral support in the community including care homes document
• New FAQ Can a choir sing during worship? in Prayer and worship section

Friday 14 August at 14:00

• Updated FAQ Can we have worship outside? in Prayer and Worship section

Wednesday 12 August at 15:49:

• Updated FAQ Can a visor be worn in a place of worship? in Prayer and Worship section
• Updated FAQ Is there advice on how to collect NHS Test and Trace data? in General section
• New FAQ Can churches, halls and other buildings hold non-worship events? in General section

Monday 10 August at 15:59:

The following advice documents have now been published in finalised form. This advice had previously been issued as draft, pending confirmation of government guidance. This has now been published. Documents will continue to be updated to reflect future developments.

• Updated Face coverings document
• Updated Baptisms document
• Updated Weddings document
• Updated Funerals document
• Updated Holy Communion document
• Updated Confirmation services document
• Updated Ordinations and Consecrations document
• Updated Conducting public worship document
• Updated Individual private prayer document
• Updated Opening cathedral and church buildings to the public document

Friday 7 August at 10:21

• Updated Face coverings document 
• Updated Baptisms document
• Updated Weddings document
• Updated Funerals document
• Updated Holy Communion document
• Updated Confirmation services document
• Updated Ordinations and Consecrations document
• Updated Conducting public worship document
• Updated Individual private prayer document
• Updated Opening cathedral and church buildings to the public document
• Updated Test and Trace document
• Updated Risk assessment template for reopening church buildings document

Wednesday 5 August at 17:38

• Updated FAQ Who needs to wear a face covering during services? in Prayer and Worship section
• Updated FAQ Who needs to wear a face covering during weddings? in Life Events section

Friday 31 July at 15:35

• Updated FAQ What guidance is in place for clergy, church workers and volunteers who are deemed to be at additional risk? in General section
• Updated Document Personal Risk Factors for Clergy, Church Workers and Volunteers

Friday 31 July at 11:04

• New FAQ What are the first steps to take if we believe there has been a local outbreak? in General section

Monday 27 July at 12:15

• New FAQ Should we wear a visor for presiding and preaching? in Prayer and worship section
• New FAQ What can we do about our annual parish meetings? in Finance and governance section

Thursday 23 July at 15:18

• Updated Outdoor worship and churchyards document (19:32)
• New Face coverings document 
• New Safer Churches – Helping public places to reopen safely document
• Updated Baptisms document
• Updated Weddings document
• Updated Funerals document
• Updated Holy Communion document
• Updated Confirmation services document
• Updated Ordinations and Consecrations document
• Updated Conducting public worship document
• Updated Individual private prayer document
• Updated Opening cathedral and church buildings to the public document
• Updated Mission and ministry with children and young people document
• Updated Test and Trace document
• New Holy Communion and the distribution of the elements document

Relevant FAQs have been added and updated to reflect these documents

Thursday 16 July at 10:40

• New FAQ Is there any guidance on pastoral encounters for welcome teams at churches and cathedrals? in General section
• New FAQ What resources are there to help with resuming children, young people and families work? in Schools, nurseries and youth provision section
• New Pastoral encounters document
• New Mission and ministry with children and young people document

Tuesday 14 July at 12:18

• New FAQ What is the guidance on face coverings? in Prayer and worship section

Monday 13 July at 16:03

• New FAQ Is there advice on how to collect NHS Test and Trace data? in General section
• New FAQ What advice is there for activities in church halls? in General section
• New Test and Trace document
• New Test and Trace consent form template document
• New Test and Trace online privacy notice template document
• New Test and Trace privacy notice template document

Friday 10 July at 16:50

• Updated Conducting public worship document

Thursday 9 July at 10:34

• Updated FAQ Can ordinations still go ahead? in Life events section
• Updated ordinations and consecrations document
• Updated Individual private prayer document

Tuesday 7 July at 15:04

• New FAQ Can children and young people’s activities start again? in School, nurseries and youth provision section
• Updated FAQ Can churches hold services of worship? in Prayer and Worship section
• Updated Conducting public worship document

Thursday 2 July at 16:02

• New FAQ Can we have worship outside? in Prayer and worship section
• Updated Churchyards document

Wednesday 1 July at 16:47

• Weddings
• Funerals
• Baptisms
• Holy Communion
• Confirmations
• Individual Private Prayer

Tuesday 30 June at 20:53

• New advice on the conduct of public worship added following the publication of Government guidance, with updated risk assessment, legal considerations and advice on opening church buildings to the public.
• Read a press release from the House of Bishops following the announcement from the Prime Minister that public worship in church buildings can resume from July 4^th.

Tuesday 30 June at 9:00

• Following the publication of Government guidance, we are updating our advice, and will publish this shortly.

Thursday 25 June at 17:58

• Following the Prime Minister's statement on 23 June, we are awaiting publication of the detail of the Government's guidance before updating our advice. 

Wednesday 17 June at 09:00

• Updated FAQ Can construction work be carried out? in Fabric and building maintenance section
• Updated Keeping church buildings clean document
• New Risk assessment template for contractors and construction workers document

Tuesday 16 June at 14:30

• New FAQ What guidance is in place for clergy, church workers and volunteers who are deemed to be at additional risk? in Prayer and worship section and advice document
• Updated FAQ What guidance is available for Holy Communion? in Prayer and worship section

Monday 15 June at 10:45:

• New Q&A on individual prayer by members of the public in church buildings document

Friday 12 June at 17:15:

• Updated Risk assessment document for opening church buildings
• New Using church buildings for individual prayer and funerals document (combines previous Access to church buildings during lockdown: advice for incumbents and Access to church buildings during lockdown: general advice for incumbents, churchwardens and PCC members into a single guidance document)
• New FAQ Can organists enter church buildings for organ practice and maintenance? in Prayer and worship section

Wednesday 10 June at 11:30

• New FAQ Can clergy, staff and volunteers enter church buildings to prepare for re-opening? in Fabric and building maintenance section
• New FAQ Do we need to get permission to put social distancing or hygiene measures into a church building? in Fabric and building maintenance section

Tuesday 9 June at 16:15.

Read the House of Bishops' statement accompanying the below updates:

• Updated risk assessment document for opening church buildings
• New opening church buildings for works to the building and interior during document (combines previous Access to church buildings for building maintenance and Church and cathedral building access for construction work into a single guidance document)
• New permissions for temporary works in churches and cathedrals document
• New FAQ Can ordinations still go ahead? and advice document
• New FAQ What guidance is available for Holy Communion? and advice document
• Updated FAQ Can funerals still go ahead? and advice document
• Updated FAQ Can churches open for individual and private prayer?

Friday 5 June at 10:45:

• New Prayer and worship FAQ section
  • New FAQ What liturgical resources are available? and accompanying documents
  • New FAQ Can churches open for individual and private prayer? and accompanying document
• New FAQ How can parishes prepare to re-open buildings? and updated risk assessment in Word format
• Updated FAQ Can Weddings still go ahead? and accompanying document
• Updated FAQ Can Funerals still go ahead? and accompanying document
• Updated FAQ Can Baptisms still go ahead? and accompanying document

Monday 1 June at 13:00:

• Updated FAQs on schools and nurseries to include information about reopening of nurseries in church buildings and other church-owned property.

Thursday 28 May at 15:35:

• New Schools and nurseries section including:
  • New FAQ Can members of clergy and foundation school governors enter a school building?
  • New FAQ When schools re-open can church buildings be used by schools as a place of worship or gathering?
• Updated Should we still deliver printed communication? FAQ

Wednesday 27 May at 10:40:

• New FAQ and guidance on What guidance is there for pastoral support in the community, including care homes
• Updated Fabric and building maintenance section including:
  • Access to church buildings during lockdown guidance checklist
  • Parish risk assessment template
  • New FAQ and guidance on What advice is there for access to buildings during lockdown?
  • New FAQ and guidance on What advice is there for keeping the church clean?