This is a weekly update on the legislation and guidance on coronavirus COVID-19 up to29 august; it is intended as a quick reference to the latest developments. New items will be added throughout each week as they become available, and at the same time as they are included in COVID-19 Coronavirus: legislation and guidance (II) which has links to other weekly updates.
Sunday 23 August to Saturday 29 August
Law and Religion UK
- Welsh Government guidance for reopening community centres, 27 August.
- Classification and rationalization of churches in Sodor and Man, 27 August.
- Funerals and weddings in Northern Ireland, (26 August). Changes in SR 2020/187.
- Aerosols and droplets in church – breathing, speaking, shouting and singing. (24 August)
- Law and religion round-up – 23rd August, COVID-19 and religious services in Scotland; revision of L&RUK pages on coronavirus legislation and guidance; developments on singing in church and PERFORM port; special session of General Synod on virtual sessions.
Legislation
- The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Aberdeen City) Amendment Regulations 2020 SSI 2020/253.
- The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Blackburn with Darwen and Bradford) (Amendment) Regulations 2020, SI 2020/898, These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Blackburn with Darwen and Bradford) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/822) to change the area within Blackburn with Darwen Borough.
- The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (North of England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020, SI2020/897. These Regulations remove Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council and Rossendale Borough Council from “the protected area”.
- The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 SR 2020/187
- The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 13) Regulations 2020, SSI 2020/261, and Policy Note. These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (“the principal regulations”).
- The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Directions by Local Authorities) (Scotland) Regulations 2020, SSI 2020/262, and Policy Note. Gives Scottish local authorities a power to impose certain restrictions by direction (similar to a power already extant in England).
- The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings in a Relevant Place and on Public Transport) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020, SI 2020.906.and Explanatory Memorandum. Amend the fixed penalty notice provisions made in the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings on Public Transport) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/592) raising the FPN to £100.
- The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions on Holding of Gatherings and Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020, SI 2020/907, and Explanatory Memorandum. Introduces a new offence specifically for holding or being involved in the holding of, unlawful gatherings of more than 30 people. The offence will be punishable on summary conviction with a fine. A higher Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £10,000 may be issued to a person aged 18 or over who is reasonably believed to have committed the offence.
- The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 2020, SI 2020/912 (W.204) Ban “certain unlicensed music events”.
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The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Greencore) Regulations 2020 SI 2020/921, and Explanatory Memorandum. The Regulations require persons who work at the specified premises or have worked there within the specified period , and members of their households, to self-isolate for the period of up to 14 days from the date when the Regulations come into force, or for a shorter period in certain specified circumstances.
Guidance
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Face coverings: when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make your own, updated 27 August 2020 to coincide with increase in FPN to £100.
Church of England
- Updated FAQ Can church bells be rung? updated 25 August., in Prayer and worship section, which states: Please see detailed guidance from the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, itself last updated on 21 August.
- Updated FAQ Can we do full immersion baptisms? in Life events section, and updated COVID-19 Advice for Clergy Conducting Baptisms to reflect the change in Government guidance concerning full immersion baptism from the 21st August.
Other guidance
- Scottish Association of Change Ringers, (SACR): Covid-19 Guidance, 18 July.
Post last updated, 28 August 09:37.
Annual Meeting to elect Churchwardens
how do parishes ensure that people who do not access to computers are not disenfranchised at these meetings which are village meetings not just for church members?
Indeed. It’s a very good point, and not everyone remembers that people living in the parish who are on the civil electoral register but who are not on the parish’s electoral roll (like me) nevertheless have a right to participate in the election of churchwardens: Churchwardens Measure 2001 5(1)(b).
But what the answer is, I just don’t know.
Thank you, I suppose when we advertise the meeting we could ask people who do not have access to computer to contact the secretary and register their interest in some way. Part of the meeting could be live at church for parishioners who do not have computers.
That sounds to me like a sensible way to proceed.