Posted on 12/10/2020 12:59 PM By Alan
The Archdiocese of Edmonton has updated guidelines for liturgical celebrations and the use of parish space following the Government of Alberta’s December 8 announcement of stronger public health measures to keep everyone safe, protect the health system, and slow the spread of COVID-19.
These new measures should be followed by all parishes, regardless of the municipality in which they are located: Indoor and outdoor social gatherings, public and private, are prohibited; Effective December 13, masses are limited to 15% of fire code occupancy for in-person attendance. Virtual or online services are recommended. Funerals and weddings continue to have a maximum allowable attendance of 10 people including the officiant, bride/groom and witnesses.
Services must be held at their normal location, and parishes with a hall as normal location for liturgies can use both the church and their overflow space as long as they limit attendance in each to 15% of fire code occupancy, or less if required for distancing. In-person faith group meetings are still permitted at a place of worship as long as physical distancing and public health measures are followed. The maximum allowable attendance is 10 people total.
Effective December 8, masks are mandatory. The celebrant and others speaking in front of a congregation are permitted to remove their masks while speaking provided they maintain 2 metre distance from others while doing so. Once finished speaking, the speaker must put on their mask again.
We ask for online or phone registrations for Christmas masses to avoid line-ups or physical contact with parish staff.
Questions or concerns should be directed to the Office of Divine Worship which be reached at divineworship@caedm.ca.
Download the full guidelines (PDF, 1 page)
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