Pendle News Room

As places of worship start to reopen from Saturday 4 July, worshippers are urged to continue to follow social distancing guidelines.

From Saturday, gatherings will be permitted in buildings including churches and mosques and their grounds.

Councillor Mohammed Iqbal, Leader of Pendle Council, said: “I’m pleased that lockdown easing means that residents can start to attend their place of worship.

“But we want to keep everyone safe so please remember to follow the social distancing guidelines which mean that, where possible, you keep two metres apart.

“It’s also important to continue to use hand sanitiser or wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds before you leave home and when you get back.”

Limits for communal worship will be decided on the capacity of each venue following a risk assessment.

And ceremonies such as marriage and funeral ceremonies will be limited to no more than 30 people.

Councillor Iqbal added: “It is recommended that, where possible, places of worship continue to stream worship or other events to avoid large gatherings.

“It also means they can continue to reach those individuals who are self-isolating or particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.”

The Government also advises:

• individuals should be prevented from touching or kissing objects that are handled communally
• reusable and communal resources such as prayer mats or hymn books should be removed from use
• sharing of food should be avoided, as should the use of communal vessels
• any washing/ablution rituals should not be done at the place of worship but carried out before arriving
• faith leaders should discourage cash donations and continue to use online or contactless giving

Venue managers of places of worship will have discretion over when they consider it safe to open and should decide to remain closed if they are not able to safely adhere to the guidelines.