Diocese of GalwayKilmacduagh & Kilfenora

Cabinet committee reviews progress on Ireland’s COVID-19 response: update to numbers permitted in places of worship.

The Taoiseach chaired the first meeting of the new Government’s Cabinet Committee on Ireland’s Covid-19 response on Friday 3 July. 

The Cabinet Committee reviewed the detailed guidance developed for religious services, and decided that where the size of the premises allows for a capacity of greater than 50 this may be permitted where:

• social distancing guidelines are adhered to;
• the premises can be subdivided into distinct sections (cordoned or marked appropriately) of not more than 50 persons in each section;
• there is a minimum of 4m between sections;
• each section having its own entrance/exit route;
• there are separate arrangements for elements of the service involving close contact, e.g. the distribution of Holy Communion;
• strictly no movement of people between sections before, during or after the service;
• the premises is well-ventilated.

Account must also be taken regarding the risk of people congregating outside before and after any services, having regard to outdoor overall limits on mass gatherings and arrangements for staggered exiting after ceremonies

The use of face coverings is strongly recommended for such indoor settings.

See the full statement here.