Diocesan COVID-19 Guidance - 8 Oct 2021

28 Tout 1738AM
Friday 8th of October, 2021
Our Ref: B.D.02.124.20.21
No. of Pages: 1
Diocesan Office

Diocesan COVID-19 Guidance 001

Our dear sisters and brothers, children in the Lord.

We have missed you all dearly, and it is wonderful to be gradually restoring services in our parishes, which have been our homes for so long. As we return, we will all be rejoicing with the Psalmist saying “How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord” (Psalm 84:1-2).

By God’s grace, as of the Monday 11 October 2021, after NSW reaches the 70% double-dose vaccination target, we look forward to welcoming you back to church.

Eased restrictions will allow those who are fully vaccinated to re-attend church liturgies and re-enter church premises.

We encourage you all to please follow the NSW Government guidelines regarding vaccination for your own safety and the safety of others. This includes, at this stage, and according to government restrictions, not attending church services until you have received both doses of your COVID-19 vaccine (if eligible).

In line with what is required of us by health authorities, please have your certificate of proof of vaccination available on entry.

As per the NSW Government guidelines, as we reach the 80% target, places of worship will be legally permitted to accommodate for everyone, both the vaccinated and the unvaccinated, to return. It has been projected that this date will be 25th October 2021, although recent projections predict an earlier date. We want to receive you into your parishes and communities as soon as we possibly can.

Until further notice the churches will only be open for liturgical services, including vespers and midnight praises.

In the interests of us all looking after one another, we would also ask that you follow the usual precautions, including checking in, not attending if unwell, social distancing, hand hygiene and wearing masks.

We pray God’s protection upon you all, and look forward to welcoming you back to your home.

It is expected that Government will continue to update the rules and regulations and we will continue to reflect those changes as they come through. Praying for the safety and wellbeing of all the community.

Clergy Council of Diocese of Sydney