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.


• Therefore, spoken responses during worship should also not be in a raised voice.


• Places of worship should limit the number of people in any one location, and in particular avoid any risk of crowding at entry/exit points.


• Consider how well ventilated the venue is and improve this where possible, for example by fixing doors open where appropriate.


Other special restrictions include: • Those leading worship should remind congregants of the importance of social distancing and hygiene.


• Introducing a one-way flow in and out of the premises with appropriate floor markings or signage, with restrictions on accessing non-essential areas. At the end of worship, this could include worshippers leaving one row at a time, in order to prevent crowding at entry or exit points.


• Clear signposting and assistance should be provided to guide worshippers and to avoid congestion.


• Consideration should be given for prioritisation to people who may have a specific need or requirement.


• Use screens, barriers or alternative rooms and spaces to separate worshippers.


• Any changes to entrances, exits and queues should take into account reasonable adjustments to accommodate those who need them, such as worshippers with physical disabilities.


• Introduce a booking system (eg, Eventbrite) to help with managing numbers, particularly for services where demand will be high.


• Everyone should follow the guidance on hand hygiene: Wash your hands more often than usual, for twenty (20) seconds using soap and water and/or hand sanitiser, particularly after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose, or after being in public areas.


• When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or the crook of your sleeved arm (not your hands) if you do not have a tissue. Throw the tissue away hygienically immediately afterwards. Then wash your hands thoroughly for at least twenty (20) seconds using soap and water or hand sanitiser if hand washing facilities are not available.


Hygiene


On both entering and leaving a place of worship everyone, including staff, should be asked to wash their hands thoroughly for at least twenty (20) seconds using soap and water or to use hand sanitiser if hand washing facilities are not available.


not available.


All places of worship, irrespective of religion, should provide hand sanitiser in multiple locations in addition to toilet facilities. Toilets inside or linked to places of worship should be kept open and carefully managed to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Steps that will usually be needed to make the use of toilets as safe as possible: • Display signs and posters. • Using social distancing marking in areas where queues normally form, and the adoption of a limited entry approach, with one in, one out (whilst avoiding the creation of additional bottlenecks).


• Hand sanitiser should be available on entry to toilets where safe and practical, and ensure suitable handwashing facilities including running water and liquid soap and suitable options for drying (either paper towels or hand dryers) are available. Communal towels should be removed and replaced with single use paper towels.


• Keep the facilities well ventilated, for example by fixing doors open where appropriate and safe to do so.


Face covering (Mask)


There should be signs and posters to build awareness of good handwashing technique, the need to increase handwashing frequency, avoid touching your face and to cough or sneeze into a tissue which is binned safely, or into the crook of your sleeved arm if a tissue is


37


Face coverings are largely intended to protect others, not the wearer, against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission of virus that causes coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The legislation pertaining to face coverings although similar is not identical universally. The information that follows is based on the law in England, so please check the government web sites for your country to ensure you have the legislation as it applies to you. In England, you must wear a face covering in the following


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