This post includes*:

• Legislation and guidance and local lockdown restrictions.
• Church of England advice and documents;
• Other churches and faith organizations advice and other documents;
• Information from other relevant bodies.
• L&RUK posts which have reported the advice and updates on COVID-19 coronavirus;
• L&RUK Updates of developments.

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Legislation and guidance

Legislation relating to coronavirus, some of which is listed below, is available at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/coronavirus. This includes the three principal relevant primary legislative instruments, and links to secondary legislation and legislation originating in the EU containing “coronavirus” in the title. There are links to pages listing the legislation that has been changed by this primary and secondary coronavirus-related legislation. Additionally, this web page also provides links to the guidance on coronavirus in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

• Legislation
• Other legislation with impacts on COVID-19
• Guidance
• Analysis
• Case law

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Legislation

England

Two key items of primary legislation contain emergency powers relating to coronavirus and health protection in England.

• Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7)
• Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 (c. 22)

From 29th March 2021 the health protection restrictions in England are as set out in the following regulations:

• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps) (England) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/364)

These regulations set out the three Steps, or stages, for the gradual easing of restrictions, with different severity levels of restriction for each Step. The restrictions for Step 1 can be found in Schedule 1, Step 2 in Schedule 2, and Step 3 in Schedule 3. Schedule 4 of the regulations lists the areas of England which are under each Step, and this list will be amended as areas move from one Step to another. The regulations also impose restrictions on travel outside of the United Kingdom.

• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/568)
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 3) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/750)
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings in a Relevant Place) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/791)
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Collection of Contact Details etc. and Related Requirements) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1005)
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1045)
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Local Authority Enforcement Powers) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I 2020/1375)
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps and, SI 2021/455. These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps) (England) Regulations 2021 (“Steps Regulations”), to move England from the Step 1 area to the Step 2 area, so that the restrictions set out in Schedule 2 to the Steps Regulations apply in England with effect from 12th April 2021, the date on which these Regulations come into force.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps and Local Authority Enforcement Powers) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/455 and Explanatory Memorandum.  The move in England from the Step 1 area to the Step 2 area.
• The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Suspension: Temporary Judicial Commissioners, Urgent Warrants, and Disposal of Bodies) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/486. These Regulations suspend two sections and two parts of a Schedule to the Coronavirus Act 2020 (c.7).
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Operator Liability) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/670. This instrument removes Portugal (including the Azores and Madeira) from the list of category 1 countries and territories referred to as “Green List” countries and territories. This instrument adds other countries to the 2’red list’.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions)(Steps and Other Provisions) (England)(Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/705. These amend the Steps Regulations 2021, to extend the date on which the Regulations expire to the end of 18th July 2021; they remove most limits on the numbers who may attend a wedding or civil partnership, a reception for a wedding or civil partnership, or a commemorative event following a person’s death, and amend the power of disapplication of the Secretary of State in regulation 9.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps etc.) (England) (Revocation and Amendment) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/848. See L&RUK post, infra.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/851. From Aug 16th anyone not 14 days post 2nd vaccine will be still subject to self-isolation. See Adam Wagner’s Twitter thread.
• The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021, Draft SI. Provisions re: care homes and mandatory two dose vaccination, coming into effect 16 weeks after Regulations are made.
• The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Early Expiry) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/856. These Regulations provide for the expiry of twelve sections of the Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7). There are seven devolved sections, sections 8, 9 and 25 to 29, for which the Secretary of State has obtained the necessary consent to expire on behalf of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/864. These Regulations correct an error in the commencement provisions of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021. The effect is to ensure that the amendment made by regulation 2(2)(a) of those Regulations (which provides that the exemption from the duty to self-isolate for the purpose of posting Coronavirus tests is extended to include tests for antibodies) comes into force on 19th July 2021.
• House of Lords & House of Commons, Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments: Rule of Law Themes from COVID-19 Regulations – First Special Report of Session 2021–22.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Operator Liability) (England) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/914.
• House of Commons Library: Coronavirus: lockdown laws, (updated 30 July 2021).
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/851. Also Explanatory Memorandum. As from 16 August 2021, the following people are not required to self-isolate if they have come into contact with a person who has tested positive for coronavirus—(a)a person who has received a complete course of the coronavirus vaccination, provided that the contact takes place more than 14 days after they have completed their course of vaccinations; (b) a person who has taken part in a vaccine trial; (c )a person who can provide evidence that for clinical reasons they should not be vaccinated, and; (d) a child.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Operator Liability) (England) (Amendment) (No. 8) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/923.

Wales

Two key items of primary legislation contain emergency powers relating to coronavirus and health protection in Wales.

• Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7)
• Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 (c. 22)

These regulations set out the current restrictions in Wales.

• The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1609)

There are three key health protection regulations that apply to everyone in Wales.

• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/574)
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Public Health Information for Persons Travelling to Wales etc.) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/595)
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Functions of Local Authorities etc.) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1011)

Also

• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/454 (W.144).
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 2021, WSI 2021/457 (W. 154).
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 8) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/502 (W.150). Various amendments to the “principal Regulations”, S.I. 2020/1609 (W. 335).
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 10) Regulations 2021, WSI 2021/583 (W. 160) Whole of Wales moves from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2, meaning that the restrictions and requirements in Schedule 2 to the principal Regulations take effect; and other related provisions
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 11) Regulations 2021, WSI 668 (W.169). The Regulations provide that the whole of Wales moves from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1 from 6.00 a.m. on 7 June 2021.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 12) Regulations 2021, WSI 2021/686 (W.172). These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1609 (W. 335)) (“the principal Regulations”). The amendment clarifies the effect of the prohibition on organising events in paragraph 4 of Schedule 1 to the principal Regulations.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Public Health Information to Travellers) (Wales) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2021, WSI 2021/863 (W.202). Regulation 3 amends regulation 2 of the International Travel Regulations to introduce a new definition in relation to vaccinated travellers and others. It also makes a minor consequential amendment to move an existing definition within those Regulations.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 14) Regulations 2021, 2021/862, (W.201). These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1609 (W. 335)) (“the principal Regulations”); amend Schedule 1 to the principal Regulations (which sets out the restrictions and requirements that currently have effect in Wales as an Alert Level 1 area).
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Operator Liability) (Wales) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2021, WSI 2021/293 (W.211).

Scotland

Four key items of primary legislation contain emergency powers relating to coronavirus and health protection in Scotland.

• Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7)
• Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 7)
• Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 (asp 10)
• Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008 (asp 5)

These regulations set out the current restrictions in Scotland.

• The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (S.S.I. 2020/344)

These regulations set out the five local Levels of restriction in Scotland, from Level 0 to Level 4, with different severity levels of restriction for each Level. The Levels apply to areas in Scotland as specified in Schedule 6 of the regulations. As areas are moved in or out of Levels, they will be added or removed from the lists, and the text of Schedule 6 will be amended accordingly.

There are two key health protection regulations that apply to everyone in Scotland.

• The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (International Travel) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (S.S.I. 2020/169)
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Public Health Information for Persons Travelling to Scotland) Regulations 2020 (S.S.I. 2020/170)

Also

• The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 23) Regulations 2021, SSI 2021/209
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 26) Regulations 2021, SSI 2021/227 and Policy Note.
• The Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 (Early Expiry of Provisions) (No. 2) Regulations 2021, SSI 2021/236. These Regulations expire the following provisions in schedule 4 of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020. The expiry takes effect on 14 June 2021.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (International Travel) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 13) Regulations 2021, SSI 2-21/237. These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (International Travel) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (“the International Travel Regulations”).
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 27) Regulations 2021, SSI 2021/238. These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (International Travel etc.) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) (No. 5) Regulations 2021, SSI 2021/264. Regulation 4 inserts a new regulation 2A into the International Travel Regulations to define an “eligible vaccinated arrival”.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 32) Regulations 2021, SSI 2021/263 . Paragraph 3 of schedule 1 of the principal Regulations requires a person responsible for a place of worship, carrying on a business or providing a service in a Level 0 area to take measures to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that the required distance is maintained between any persons on its premises, or waiting to enter its premises, except between persons mentioned in paragraph 3(2) of schedule 1.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 2021, SSI 2021/227, extracts in post, infra.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (International Travel etc.) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) (No. 7) Regulations 2021, SSI 2021/278.

Northern Ireland

Two key items of primary legislation contain emergency powers relating to coronavirus and health protection in Northern Ireland.

• Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7)
• Public Health Act (Northern Ireland) 1967 (c. 36)

These regulations set out the current restrictions in Northern Ireland.

• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/150)
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021, SR 2021/93. These Regulations revoke and replace the health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020, with savings.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021, SR 2021/96. These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 in order to require members of the public to wear face coverings whilst inside a church or other premises where beliefs are practiced.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021, SR 2021/96.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021, SR 2021/97.  Amendments re: providing for a click and collect service to be provided by non-essential retailers, allowing certain visitors to venues hosting wedding or civil partnership ceremonies, allowing up to ten people to meet outside at a private dwelling.
• The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Suspension) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021, SR 2021/98. This Order suspends provisions in Part 2 (modifications of the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986) of Schedule 10 to the Coronavirus Act 2020 (“the 2020 Act”).
• The Mental Health (1986 Order) (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021, SR 2021/101. This Order varies the length of the period which must elapse for a second opinion to be required for the continued administration of medicine to detained patients from six months to three months.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021, SR 2021/117. These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 in relation to the carrying out of certain educational activities and seating at hospitality premises
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 6) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021, SR 2021/151.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021, SR 2021/154.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021, SR 2021/218. “a new exempt category for Seasonal Agricultural Workers who can claim an exemption from post-arrival testing and self-isolation when undertaking the exempt activity, if they have travelled from an amber list country.”
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel, Operator Liability and Information to Passengers) (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021, SR 2021/225.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel, Operator Liability and Information to Passengers) (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021, SP 2021/230.

There are three key health protection regulations that apply to everyone in Northern Ireland.

• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/90)
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Public Health Information for Persons Travelling to Northern Ireland) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/97)
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/151)
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021, SR 130. Relaxation of provisions on outdoor gatherings.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021, SR 2021/132.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021, SR2021/131

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Other legislation with impacts on COVID-19

• Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981, c45. Travellers who try to evade strict new quarantine rules by failing to declare they have visited a “red list” country may be charged under the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The implication in the use of existing legislation is that parliamentary scrutiny on this aspect of its uses likely to be limited.
• The Exercise of Commissioning Functions by the NHS Commissioning Board (Coronavirus) Directions 2020. Statutory Guidance, Directions given to the National Health Service Commissioning Board. These directions enable NHS England to commission healthcare from independent sector providers to support the provision of services by the NHS to address the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency. This power will last until 31 March 2021 (21 December 2020). The updated Directions are: The Exercise of Commissioning Functions by the National Health Service Commissioning Board (Coronavirus) (No. 3) Directions 2020. 
• The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Statutory Storage Period for Embryos and Gametes) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020, SI 2020/566
• The Registration of Births and Deaths (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020, SI 2020/577. Applicable England and Wales.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Obligations of Hospitality Undertakings) (England) Regulations 2020, SI 2020/1008. Require certain undertakings in the hospitality industry, to take measures to ensure that their customers follow the rules on social distancing.
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Collection of Contact Details etc and Related Requirements) Regulations 2020, SI 2020/1005.
• The Fatal Accidents Act 1976 (Remedial) Order 2020, SI 2020/1023 Section 1A of the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 (c.30) (the “Act”) provides for a fixed sum of bereavement damages to be awarded to a limited category of persons in the event of a fatal accident caused by by wrongful act, neglect or default

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Guidance

England – Guidance

Church of England

• Advice and guidance
• Documents

Advice and guidance. 

The Church’s website has produced a number of FAQs which are available at Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for churches. The FAQs are under the following headings, which are subject to change according to circumstances:

• FAQs [5]
• Prayer and worship [8]
• Life events [3]
• Community Support [3]
• Fabric and building access [3]
• Nurseries and early years provisions [1]
• Finance and governance [3]
• Safety, safeguarding and wellbeing [4]

These FAQs do not have unique URLs and some scrolling in therefore necessary. However, there is an internal link to “FAQs” and a “Version log” which lists updates made to the page from Wednesday 27 May at 10:40, with the most recent listed first. 

Documents

Guidance

• Last updated: Thursday 22 July, 16.35
  • New Q&A added “What is the Church of England’s position on ‘vaccine passports’?”
  • The Press Release issued after the Zoom meeting of the House of Bishops on 26 July 2021 includes the following statement:

  “The Bishop of London, in her capacity as Chair of the Recovery Group (now concluded) then updated the House on what is now permissible since 19th of July and confirmed that she and her colleagues will continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation carefully as it continues to evolve.”

• Updated Monday May 17, 16:36

“The changes in guidance which come into effect today represent a relatively modest step along the road of easing restrictions affecting places of worship in common with many other public places”. With regard to singing, this revised guidance for the “eased restrictions” of Step 3 is more restrictive than that for Step 2.

• Four step government roadmap, (March 2021).
• COVID-19 Suspending public worship: some legal questions and answers, v3, The document has been revised to help churches that feel unable to open in the current circumstances of the third national lockdown. (16 April 2021).
• COVID-19 Advice on Face Coverings v3.1. Update from version 3: an additional link and paragraph in point 4 has been added to highlight the use of cards and badges for exemptions from wearing face masks. (8 December 2020).
• COVID-19 Advice for the conduct of Confirmation services, v4.5. Reviewed following the announcement by the Government of a new national lockdown on the 4th January.(12 January 2021).
• Pastoral Encounters During COVID-19,The House of Bishops Recovery Group, v1, (14 July 2020)
• Keeping Church Buildings Clean, v.3. Updates from version 2: This version contains new questions on deep cleaning, and updated simplified advice on general cleaning. (2 December 2020).
• Guidance for PCCs, incumbents and cathedral Chapters: opening church buildings for works to the building and interior, (8 December 2020).
• Guidance on permissions for temporary works in churches and cathedrals, v1.1. (8 December 2020).
• COVID-19: Opening cathedral and church buildings to the public, V6. Reviewed and edited to bring the advice in line with Government guidance.(12 January 2021).
• COVID-19 Advice on pastoral support in the community, including care homes, V2.1. Reviewed in the light of the new national lockdown announced on the 4th January. (12 January 2021).
• COVID-19 Receiving Holy Communion in both kinds by simultaneous administration, v1.2. Update from version 1.1: the document has been reviewed following the announcement of a new national lockdown on the 4th January, but has not been changed. (12 January 2021).
• Guidance for PCCs, incumbents and cathedral Chapters: opening church buildings for works to the building and interior, V5. Guidance for PCCs, incumbents and cathedral Chapters: opening church buildings for works to the building and interior. (11 January 2021).
• COVID-19 Personal Risk Factors for Clergy, Church Workers and Volunteers risk factors to clergy, church workers and volunteers, v2.1. Reviewed in the light of the new national lockdown announced on the 4th January. (8 January 2021).
• Guidance on permissions for temporary works in churches and cathedrals, v1.1. Update from version 1.0: the document has been reviewed but no major changes have been made.. (8 December 2020).
• COVID-19 Advice on pastoral support in the community, including care homes, V2.1. Reviewed in the light of the new national lockdown announced on the 4th January. (8 January 2021).
• Guidance on mental health and wellbeing and Coronavirus, undated, (URL, 12 March)
• COVID-19 Personal Risk Factors for Clergy, Church Workers and Volunteers risk factors to clergy, church workers and volunteers, V2.1. Reviewed in the light of the new national lockdown announced on the 4th January. (8 January 2021).
• Safeguarding and COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), National Safeguarding Team, (17 April).
• COVID-19 NHS Test & Trace Data v. 4.1. Changes from version 4.0: changes in Government guidance indicate that the contact details of every member of a group should be collected rather than those of one member unless they have recorded their attendance using the NHS Test & Trace app.(31 March 2021).
• COVID-19 Church Heating, v 1.1. Updates from version 1.0: The document has been reviewed but no major changes made. (8 December 2020).
• COVID-19 Livestreaming Worship, v 1.1. Document checked and updated:
  – Text streamlined; – Link included at the end of this document to regularly updated page on the Church of England website. This is now the key point of reference for this topic area. (8 December 2020).
• COVID-19 Receiving Holy Communion in both kinds by simultaneous administration, V1.2. Update from version 1.1: the document has been reviewed following the announcement of a new national lockdown on the 4th January, but has not been changed. (12 January 2021).
• COVID-19 Advice for Clergy Conducting Baptisms, V4.7, (17 May 2021).
• COVID-19 Advice for Conducting Funerals, V5.9, (16 June 2021).
• COVID-19 Advice on Individual Prayer by Members of the public in Church Buildings, V6.1, (17 May 2021).
• COVID-19 Permitted Activities from 17th May 2021 under ‘Step 3’, V.1.1, (17 May 2021).
• COVID-19 Advice on the Conduct of Public Worship, V.4, Update on version 3.3: on the 18 May the Government introduced new guidance on Performing Arts. The information on singing has been updated to include this. (19 May 2020)
• COVID-19 Advice for clergy conducting weddings, V6.3, Updates from version 6.1: in line with updated Government guidance on social contact from the 17th May; updated the special provisions for the service (4) relating to the entrance of the bride, (16 June 2021).
• Update on singing in churches, News Release: “We are reminding the Government of the importance we place on singing to lift our prayers to God, and look ahead to step four and the enabling of the singing of choirs and congregations to fill our churches and cathedrals once more.” (24 May 2021).
• Coronavirus restrictions update – response from the Bishop of London 14 June 2021 at 19:25.
• Updated Thursday June 17, 16:58: Updates following concessions to numerical limits for weddings and commemorative events which come into effect on Monday 21 June. Updated documents:
  • COVID-19 Advice on the Conduct of Public Worship, v3.6. (30 June 2021).
  • COVID-19 Advice for clergy conducting weddings, v6.3, (16 June 2021).
  • COVID-19 Advice for Conducting Funerals, v5.9, (16 June 2021)
• Covid-19: Bishop Sarah’s tribute to sacrifices of many as Government prepares to lift restrictions. Bishop Sarah’s tribute ends: “We will await the new Government advice for places of worship and adapt our guidance to churches accordingly.” (5 July 2021)
• Risk Assessment Template for Opening Church Buildings to the Public, V9.1. (5 July 2021).
• Updated Friday 16th July, 16.52pm
  • Opening and managing church buildings in step 4 of the Roadmap out of Lockdown, V.1, (19 July 2021);
  • COVID-19 NHS Test & Trace Data, V.5;
  • Risk Assessment Template for Opening Church Buildings to the Public, V.10.; and
  • Bishop of London urges caution and pays tribute to vaccinators as restrictions lift, 16/07/2021.

Resources

• Church reopening poster (Word | PDF)
• Risk assessment template for contractors and construction workers
• Risk assessment template for opening church buildings
• Risk assessment Template for Outdoor Worship
• Test and Trace consent form template
• Test and Trace online privacy notice template
• Test and Trace privacy notice template

Further reading

• Churches’ community action
• Crisis, scarcity and Christian ethics – a note for chaplains
• Responding to Human Need by Loving Service – The Third Mark of Mission
• Spiritual communion
• Wellbeing of clergy and lay ministers
• Holy Communion and the distribution of the elements
• Mental Health Support Charities.

The below Marking our communities resources have been prepared by The Liturgical Commission:

• Prayers of lament, thanksgiving and restoration
• Re-entering our church buildings.
• Remembering and Memorials

Association of English Cathedrals (AEC) 

• Cathedral Closures Update: An update of cathedral closures January 2021.

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Other churches and faith organizations

This section is being populated with advice and guidance from churches other than the Church of England.

FIEC

• John Stevens, National Director of FIEC: Coronavirus: Summary of Meeting With Minister Of Faith And Officials – Clarification On Weddings, Congregational Singing And Social-Distancing. “Provided the vaccination programme continues to bring the virus under control, there is the prospect of a return to much greater normality, including congregational singing, after June 21, but it is impossible to give a cast-iron assurance that this will be the case.” (10 March 2021).

Church of Scotland

There is a wide range of advice from the Church of Scotland:

• Guidance for congregations with employees. Updated 27 October.
• COVID-19 (Coronavirus) advice, (updated 14 August)
• Covid – 19 Guidance reopening church buildings V1 June 2020
• Covid-19 (Coronavirus) Reopening of Church Buildings Checklist
• CoS Church buildings Covid19 Risk Assessment V1
• Guidance on reshaping church life and reopening and looking after church buildings. Two-part guidance, Reshaping Church Life and Reopening and Looking after your Church Buildings updated to reflect the change in physical distancing from 2m to 1m. Also, on the Assisting NHS Test and Protect Strategy page the Appendices have been updated. (13 July 2021).

Scottish Episcopal Church

• Bishops’ statement on re-opening of churches, “We cannot accept that this Sunday, those who can reach a church building are worshipping while those still unable to mix with others, but who join them online, are not worshipping…We disagree with the claim made during Judicial Review that these commitments do not represent worship“. (26 March 2021).

Churches in Wales

• Guidance for Places of Worship, Church in Wales, (23 October).
• Coronavirus (Covid-19) guidance: Guidance from the Bench of Bishops, (9 November 2020).
• Covid 19 Guidance Amber Phase: (9 November 2020). This is the main guidance document on how to open churches safely.
• Covid 19 Guidance Marriages and Funerals, (9 November 2020).
• Guidance on Celebrating Holy Communion, (9 November 2020).
• Guidance on Conducting Baptisms, (9 November 2020).
• Guidance on Music and the Playing of Organs, (9 November 2020).
• Guidance on re-opening of church halls, (9 November 2020).
• Guidance on re-opening for visitors, (9 November 2020).
• COVID-19 Advice for Services during Lent, Holy Week, and Easter, V1. Issued by the Bench of Bishops of the Church in Wales, Version 1 26 January 2021 (Alert Level Four). “The guidelines…are based on the advice issued by the Church of England’s COVID-19 Recovery Group, supra, with amendment to the particular context in which the Church in Wales operates”.
• Moving from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3: A Practical Advice Update. (26 April 2021).
• Regulations for places of worship in Wales from May 17 2021 (Level 2 restrictions). See also L&RUK post from the Revd Gethin Rhys, infra.
• Coronavirus (Covid-19) guidance: Update: 15 July 2021
• Coronavirus (Covid-19) guidance. Update: 6 August 2021. Coronavirus Statement from the Bench of Bishops 7th August 2021.”The Representative Body will shortly publish updated advice, specific to the Church, on how to develop risk assessments in this new environment”.
• Coronavirus related Legislation: Briefing for churches in Wales. To be fully updated on 9 August 2021

Northern Ireland

• Statement from the Church of Ireland Bishops in Northern Ireland in relation to Public Worship, 7 January 2020. Suspension of public worship.

Roman Catholic EW

• Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales: Vade Mecum for Holy Week 2021. (28 February 2021). This refers to:

Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments: Celebration of Holy Week 2021. Note to Bishops and Episcopal Conferences on the Celebration of Holy Week 2021, (Prot. N. 96/21.), (19 February 2021).

• Update on COVID-19 and Vaccination “…At present, debate concerns the use of the vaccines developed by Pfizer & BioNTech, Moderna, and AstraZeneca. Some have questioned the use of the Astra Zeneca vaccine since it has been developed from cell-lines originating from the cells of an aborted foetus in 1983. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Pontifical Academy of Life have expressed the view that one may in good conscience and for a grave reason receive a vaccine sourced in this way, provided that there is a sufficient moral distance between the present administration of the vaccine and the original wrongful action. In the COVID-19 pandemic, we judge that this grave reason exists and that one does not sin by receiving the vaccine”. (3 December 2020).
• Statement from the President and the Vice-President of the Conference on the Prime Minister’s Statement which questions the banning of communal worship and asks the Government to produce the evidence that justifies its decision, 31 October 2020.
• Guidance for Funerals , (15 June).
• Guidance on Re-opening of Catholic Churches for Individual Prayer, Roman Catholic Church, England and Wales, (10 June).
• Archbishops’ Letter on Resumption of Collective Worship, (25 June).
• Bishops clarify the Catholic position on vaccination, Catholic Church in England and Wales:(30 July)
• Statement from the President and the Vice-President of the Conference on the Prime Minister’s Statement which questions the banning of communal worship and asks the Government to produce the evidence that justifies its decision, 31 October 2020.
• Covid-19 Route Map: Step 3 Guidance., Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, (15 May 2021).

Methodist Church

On 30 September, 2020, the Methodist Church issued an update of its Coronavirus Guidance for Property. Other guidance includes:

• Guide for Weddings
• Guide for Open Air Worship
• Guide for Church Meetings, Small Gatherings & House Groups 
• Guide for Pastoral Visits
• Guide for Face Coverings.
• Coronavirus Guidance for Property: Update 13 July 2021. Changes to Government Guidance.
• Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales: Covid-19 Route Map: Step 4 Guidance, (15 July 2021). See L&RUK post below.
• Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales: Sunday – It is our Day. “It is hoped that it will be possible for all Catholics in England and Wales to fulfil this most important Church precept, that of the Sunday Obligation, by the First Sunday in Advent 2021”, (15 July 2021).

Baptist Church

• Essential advice for churches, (updated 20 December 2020). Churches may once again open for worship following the end of the firebreak in Wales and the lockdown in England.
  • Guidance on church worship  (updated 20 December 2020)
  • Coronavirus advice:  Children’s, youth and families ministry (updated 20 December 2020)
  • Guidance on re-opening Baptist church buildings (updated 20 December 2020)
  • Advice for ministers – pastoral visiting (updated 20 December 2020)
  • Guideline Leaflet L18: Covid-19 Coronavirus Legal Issues (updated 16 December 2020)
  • Update for churches as employers: New furlough scheme rules and removal of retention bonus (4 December 2020).

Other churches

• A pastoral statement on the proposed suspension of public worship from 5 November, Society of St Wilfrid and St Hilda, 2 November 2020.
• The Muslim Council of Britain calls for an urgent review of new lockdown restrictions on places of worship, Muslim Council of Britain, 1 November 2020

Muslim Council of Britain

• MCB Urges Mosques to Re-Assess Safety Measures If They Choose to Remain Open. (4 January 2020)
• Faith Associates: Ramadan 2021 Mosque Guidance – England COVID-19 Restrictions.  (13 March 2021).
• Faith Associates: Mosque COVID-19 4 Step Plan To Unlock Restrictions, (Scroll down), (updated 26 February 2021).
• Ramadan 2021. Ramadan will be from 12/13 April 2021 to 12/13 May 2021 (depending on moon sightings). See #SafeRamadan 2021 Guide for advice on COVID-19 related and other issues. (9 April 2021).

Food Standards Agency

• Food Alert: Sainsbury’s recalls Taste the Difference Medjool Dates because of possible contamination with Hepatitis A. This is of particular relevance during Ramadan since after sundown, Muslims break their fast with iftar, a meal which usually starts with dates and water or milk, followed by dinner. (13 April 2021).

Health Protection Surveillance Centre (Ireland)

• Guidance for Religious Settings This notes that all HPSC guidance should be read and interpreted in conjunction with the Government’s Framework of Restrictions. This includes:

• • COVID-19 Guidance for Religious Services, V2.2 4.12.2020.
  • Religious Services during the Holiday Season, V1.0. 4/12/2020
  • Guidance on non-healthcare building ventilation during COVID-19, V1.2 15.10.2020. 

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List of the posts on L&RUK

August

• Law and religion round-up – 1 August. Church of England COVID-19 guidance
• COVID-19: Masks in Scotland from 9 August. (6 August).
• COVID-19: Church in Wales update for Alert Level Zero. (7 August).
• Law and religion round-up – 8th August. COVID-19 and places of worship in Scotland; COVID-19 in Wales; COVID-19 and the NHS App.
• Law and religion round-up – 15th August. Changes to self-isolation rules in England.

July

• Law and religion round-up – 4 July. Congregational singing in England; COVID-19 and charity AGMs.
• Law and religion round-up – 11 July 2021. Progress to Step 4 in England;  Individual cups for Holy Communion (again).
• COVID-19: Guidance on weddings and civil partnerships from Step 4, (14 July 2021). New guidance for couples planning to get married or form a civil partnership in England, and venues hosting these events
• COVID-19: Revocation of regulations in England Summary of SI 2021/848, (15 July 2021,) supra.
• COVID-19: Church in Wales update, (16 July 2021).
• COVID-19: Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales , (16 July 2021).
• COVID-19: Church of England update, (16 July 2021).
• COVID-19: Church of England “Step 4” Guidance, (16 July 2021).
• Law and religion round-up – 18th July
• Law and religion round-up – 25 July 2021: Reactions to easing in England… ; …and in Wales; Non-story of the week? [vaccine passports].

June 2021

• Law and religion round-up – 6 June. COVID-19: easing the lockdown in England.
• Law and religion round-up – 13 June COVID-19 and Parliamentary scrutiny; COVID-19 and ordinations.
• Weddings, wakes and face masks, Relaxation of some Step 2 requirements, (15 June 2021).
• Law and religion round-up – 20th June. COVID-19 and Parliamentary scrutiny again; COVID-19 legislation and guidance Temporary permission for outdoor weddings in England & Wales. But no comment on St David’s.
• Physical distancing in Scotland, (27 June 2021).
• Law and religion round-up – 27 June.. Outdoor weddings in England and Wales; Defining “outdoors”; Physical distancing in Scotland. But no mention of singing.

May 2021

• Law and religion round-up – 2nd May, Easing the lockdown in Ireland.
• COVID-19: latest relaxations for places of worship in Wales, review by Revd Gethin Rhys and Cytûn of further relaxations in Wales, brought forward from 17 May to 3 May, when Wales moved to Coronavirus Alert Level 3. (4 May 2021).
• Law and religion round-up – 9 May. Upcoming Church of England Guidance for funerals
• Law and religion round-up – 16 May 2021 No COVID-19 news apart from And finally…II on inconsistencies in the present restrictions on weddings.
• COVID-19: Step 3 guidance – Roman Catholic Church EW, (16 May 2021).
• COVID-19: Step 3 guidance – Church of England, (17 May 2021) 
• COVID-19 Update: Cytûn – Churches together in Wales, (18 May 2021).
• COVID-19: Step 3 guidance – Church of England, (17 May 2021)
• COVID-19 Update: Cytûn – Churches together in Wales, (18 May 2021)
• COVID-19: unexpected choral clampdown, (20 May 2021 and updated 26 May 2021).
• Law and religion round-up – 23 May. Church of England: Holy Communion update; In Quires and Places where they sing – maybe; “Take me to your leader” (singing, again). 
• Law and religion round-up – 30 May. This post included no references to COVID-19 coronavirus.

April 2021

• Law and Religion round-up, 4th April. Guidance for Holy Week and Easter. Police action at Catholic Church in Balham.
• Law and religion round-up – 11 April. Provisions on His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh relating to COVID-19, reproduced above. Explanation of the update to our post COVID-19 Coronavirus: legislation and guidance. 
• Law and religion round-up – 18 April 2021 Good Friday and COVID-19 in Balham; Wakefield Cathedral and COVID-19. The latter item notes that religious or belief-based commemorative events, such services commemorating the life of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, are restricted to 15 people in attendance. These provisions limiting attendance to 15 will be relevant to any church, cathedral or other place of worship which intends to hold such an event. However, the Guidance documents indicate “[a]nyone working is not counted in these limits”.
• Law and religion round-up – 25 April. Wedding news (relaxation of lockdown), and summary of the report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services: Policing in the pandemic – The police response to the coronavirus pandemic during 2020, (April 2021).

March 2021

• COVID-19: places of worship and the latest Welsh Regulations: update. Following the latest announcements by the Welsh Government over the weekend, the Revd Gethin Rhys, Policy Officer of Cytûn, has issued a further update – reproduced with permission – on the position as it affects places of worship. (29 March 2021).
• Law and religion round-up – 28 March Guidance for Holy Week and Easter.
• COVID-19: New MHCLG guidance on singing Updated COVID-19: guidance for the safe use of places of worship and which now includes the following advice relating to singing, (26 March 2021).
• COVID-19: reopening places of worship in Scotland Following Philip & Ors for Judicial Review of the closure of places of worship in Scotland infra, places of worship in Scotland will be able to open with immediate effect if they wish to do so, and the relevant Regulations have made the necessary changes to the law. (25 March 2021).
• COVID-19: was the closure of places of worship in Scotland lawful? Philip & Ors (24 March 2021).
• Law and religion round-up – 21 March 2021 . No COCID-19 items apart from reminder from Regulators’ Code on Legislation and Guidance (2014).
• Coronavirus and ecclesiastical law – II. Impact of closure of churches on Church services: Celebration of Holy Communion Priest alone; Live streaming of services – Technical aspects, Copyright, Spiritual Communion; Individual cups; Intinction. (16 March 2021).
• COVID-19: places of worship and the latest Welsh Regulations, Following the latest announcements by Welsh Government, the Revd Gethin Rhys, Policy Officer of Cytûn, has issued a helpful update on the position as it affects places of worship, (15 March 2021).
• Law and religion round-up – 14 March. Easing the lockdown in Scotland Easing the lockdown in England; Marriage law: forthcoming events; Book launch.
• Law and religion round-up – 7 March.

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February 2021

• Law and religion round-up – 14 March. Easing the lockdown in Scotland Easing the lockdown in England; Marriage law: forthcoming events; Book launch.
• COVID-19: easing the lockdown in England & Scotland, 23 February 2021.
• Law and religion round-up – 28 February. COVID-19: easing the lockdown in England & Scotland Reopening churches in Scotland; Review of coronavirus legislation; The EU Council, COVID-19 and human rights; An illegal religious gathering in Nottingham?
• COVID-19: easing the lockdown in England & Scotland, 23 February 2021.
• Law and religion round-up – 21 February, COVID-19 and closure of churches in Scotland, Noli me tangere.
• Law and religion round-up – 21 February, COVID-19 and closure of churches in Scotland, Noli me tangere.
• Law and religion round-up – 14th February. St Valentine and COVID-19; Closure of churches in Scotland.
• Law and religion round-up – 7 February. Marking 2M page views.

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January 2021

• Law and religion round-up – 24 January. Closing places of worship in Scotland; Opening places of worship in Scotland; Church of England services in Lent, Holy Week and Easter: 2021; Guernsey in lockdown; General Synod Meetings 2021, House of Bishops Meeting.
• COVID-19: guidance for the safe use of places of worship. Updated version of guidance from MHCLG.
• Law and religion round-up – 10 January. Suspending public worship: – England; – Northern Ireland; and – Scotland. Continuing Public Worship – Wales.
• Suspending public worship – Northern Ireland, 7 January 2021.
• Suspending public worship – England. 7 January 2021.
• Bishop of London: new COVID-19 restrictions. Bishop Sarah’s response, plus extracts from government guidance. 4 January 2021.
• COVID-19: places of worship to close in mainland Scotland. 4 January 2021.
• Law and religion round-up – 3rd January. Places of worship during lockdown

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December 2020

• Law and religion round-up – 27 December with a link to the 1256 pages of COM(2020) 857 final, a.k.a. “ANNEX to the Recommendation for a Council Decision approving the conclusion, by the European Commission, of the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland..
• Wales: Christmas guidance on COVID-19 precautions. (24 December 2020).
• Scotland: Christmas guidance on COVID-19 precautions. (22 December 2020).
• Stop press: changes to Christmas arrangements for Northern Ireland  (21 December 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 20 December. Don’t they know it’s  COVID? (20 December 2020).
• COVID-19: Tier 4 and other restrictions announced. Links to Prime Minister’s Press Conference; Professor Chris Whitty’s statement about the new strain of Covid-19; DHSC new Guidance Tier 4: Stay at Home; and more specific guidance for the four tiers. (19 December 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 13 December. COVID-19 vaccines and the church; Churches as vaccination centres; COVID-19 and self-isolation, and; Christmas ringing in England.
• Welsh Government: guidance on singing over the Christmas period. The Welsh Government has published guidance, infra, on carol-singing and traditions such as plygain traditional Welsh carols and calennig and Mari Lwyd at the New Year. (10 December 2020).
• Churches as vaccination centres. New CofE guidance, as below. (8 December 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 6 December. COVID-19 and judicial review; APPG Coronavirus.

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November 2020

• COVID-19: revised Regulations for Wales At 6 pm Friday 4 December, revised Regulations (as yet unpublished) will come into force in Wales. (3 December 2020).
• COVID-19: New Church of England guidance. Details of new guidance from the Church. (3 December 2020).
• COVID-19: Communal worship from 2 December. The Diocese of Oxford has circulated a comprehensive update on the latest position in relation to COVID-19, which we reproduced, with permission, (1 December 2020).
• New COVID-19 legislation and guidance to 5 December, (first posted 29 November). An early start to our weekly rolling update of legislation and guidance on coronavirus COVID-19, including links to the government’s mid-night issue of “Guidance for the Christmas Period”, and the Church of England’s statement “Outdoor congregational carol singing permitted in all tiers”, containing several useful links.
• Law and religion round-up – 29 November. COVID-19 and Christmas in England…in Scotland…and Northern Ireland.
• Cabinet Office statement on “Christmas bubbles”, 24 November 2020.
• Welsh Government: updated guidance on COVID-19, 23 November 2020.
• UK Government’s COVID-19 Winter Plan for England, 23 November 2020.
• Law and religion round-up – 22 November. COVID-19: challenging the lockdown; Santa’s clauses are coming to town.
• Law and religion round-up – 15 November. COVID-19: Welsh Government guidance.
• COVID-19: Northern Ireland Executive agrees two-week “circuit breaker” lockdown. The Northern Ireland Executive has agreed to introduce a two-week circuit breaker to slow the spread of COVID-19. The new restrictions will run for two weeks from 27 November until 11 December.
• Law and religion round-up – 8th November, Guidance, legislation, and how not to do it; Lockdown and places of worship; Reopening of places of worship in Wales; Charity Commission: updated guidance on COVID-19; Charity meetings in Wales, General Synod (Remote Meetings) Measure 2020; Church of England and Archbishops’ websites
• Worship, funerals and weddings under the Second English Lockdown, 5 November. Guest post by Russell Sandberg.
• Services and Events on Remembrance Sunday in England, 4 November 2020.
• Communal worship and Remembrance Day in England: stop press, 2 November 2020.
• Communal Worship – Remembrance Day, England, Guidance from MHCLG, 2 November 2020.
• Law and religion round-up – 1st November National Restrictions from 5 November; Weddings, civil partnerships, religious services and funerals; EHRC; General Assembly of the Church of Scotland; ELS Virtual Conference – The Solemnization of Matrimony: past, present and future, 1 November.

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October 2020

• England lockdown – 5 November to 2 December, (31 October 2020).
• Minister’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 31 October 2020, (31 October 2020).
• New COVID-19 legislation and guidance to 31 October, (26 October 2020).  
• Law and religion round-up – 25 October. Three new regional categories for COVID-19 restrictions in England; Coronavirus circuit break: Wales, and clergy challenge; COVID-19 and the wedding industry; Bellringing; Postponement of General Synod elections, (25 October 2020).
• Coronavirus Firebreak Lockdown – Church in Wales Guidance, (23 October 2020).
• Coronavirus circuit break: Wales. (21 October 2020, updated, 23 October).
• L&RUK: Catch-up from 23 September, (21 October 2020).
• Advice on local outbreaks: Church of England, Two new FAQs issued, 12 October at 10:37. (12 October 2020)
• Law and religion round-up – 11th October. COVID-19: marriages and civil partnerships in England, COVID-19: increased restrictions in Ireland. 11 October 2020).
• New COVID-19 legislation and guidance to 10 October, (10 October 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 4 October. Humanist wedding ceremonies and COVID-19; Church of Scotland: virtual General Assembly; Methodist Church: updated COVID-19 guidance. (4 October 2020).
• New COVID-19 legislation and guidance to 3 October. (4 October 2020).

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September 2020

• Law and religion round-up – 27 September. QR codes for “NHS Test and Trace”; Virtual sittings of C of E General Synod. (20 September 2020).
• QR codes for “Test and Trace” in churches, summary of legislation and revised Church of England advice. (23 September 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 20 September. “Rule of Six”; COVID-19 in Ireland. (20 September 2020).
• Choirs and the “rule of six” – new advice. Updated FAQ “How does the ‘rule of six’ apply to choirs?” and Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice on the Conduct of Public Worship, v2.4. (18 September 2020).
• COVID-19: Church of England and RSCM updates, Guidance on “the rule of six”. (17 September 2020).
• High Holy Day services and gatherings: COVID-19 checklist. Government guidance for Jewish congregations in England. (14 September 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 13 September. New social distancing rules; Coronavirus and the Curtailment of Religious Liberty: A Global Review. (13 September 2020),
• Church of England: Places of worship and new restrictions, Statement by Bishop Sarah. [re-issue of original post] (9 September 2020).
• Worship unaffected by new restrictions in England, 9 September. Confirmatory tweet from Archbishop of Canterbury. (9 September 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 6th September. Individual cups for Holy Communion; Aerosol and droplet generation. (6 September 2020).
• Aerosol and droplet generation from singing &c. Review by SAGE of international evidence base and two research trials (PERFORM and SOBADRA) commissioned to investigate droplet and aerosol production in performance events. (4 September 2020).

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August 2020

• Law and religion round-up – 30th August, COVID-19 and: bellringing; singing; full immersion baptism; L&RUK coverage; employees targeted by COVID-19 legislation; fake COVID-19 protection kits. (30 August 2020).
• Welsh Government guidance for reopening community centres. (27 August 2020).
• Classification and rationalization of churches in Sodor and Man, 27 August. Impact of lockdown on S&M Diocese finance.
• Funerals and weddings in Northern Ireland, changes in SR 2020/187. (26 August 2020).
• Aerosols and droplets in church – breathing, speaking, shouting and singing. (24 August 2020).
• 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. (23 August 2020)
• COVID-19 – Further changes to Church of England guidance, update of guidance “particularly in light of changes to advice on choirs singing during services”. (17 August 2020).
• Law and Religion round-up, 16 August, (16 August 2020).
• Coronavirus-related legislation: Cytûn’s briefing for churches in Wales, briefing by The Revd Gethin Rhys, Policy Officer of Cytûn/Churches together in Wales. (13 August 2020).
• COVID-19 – Changes to Church of England guidance finalized, twelve items of guidance updated. (10 August 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 9th August, Wearing face coverings from  8 August, in England and Scotland; Church of England General Synod. (9 August 2020).
• Face covering during weddings and other services Interim guidance from the Church of England. (5 August 2020).
• COVID-19: further (separate) guidance for England and for Wales, (4 August 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 2nd August, local lockdowns on several areas of Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire, including Blackburn and Bradford. (2 August 2020).

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July 2020

• Face-coverings in places of worship: update. Face coverings mandatory in places of worship from 8 August, and withdrawal of guidance which permitted indoor professional performances, with immediate effect. (31 July 2020).
• Coronavirus COVID:19 – NW England restrictions, changes to rules on gatherings in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and East Lancashire after increase in COVID-19 cases. (31 July 2020).
• Coronavirus and ecclesiastical law – I, the legislation and regulations in relation to time constraints imposed by ecclesiastical provisions. (27 July 2020).
• Government COVID-19 guidance for England: special religious services and gatherings checklist update to COVID-19: guidance for the safe use of places of worship and special religious services and gatherings during the pandemic which deals specifically with special religious services and gatherings. (27 July 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 26th July, Face-covering in England, Face-covering in places of worship, Blackburn with Darwen, and Luton, Matt (Hancock) 6:3,  Faith school admissions. (26 July 2020).
• Regulations on face covering: Advice from Church of England, new regulations excluding places of worship, and strong recommendation from House of Bishops Recovery Group. (23 July 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 19th July. Local lockdowns in England; Singing in churches and cathedrals; Church of England: face-covering. (19 July 2020).
• Singing in churches and cathedrals, an update on an earlier post following the recent tranche of guidance and advice. (17 July 2020).
• Scotland: Government guidance on safe reopening of places of worship. Opening of places of worship in Scotland for  additional permitted purposes from 15 July. (14 July 2020).
• Relaxation of coronavirus legislation in Wales from 13 July: initial guidance for churches. (14 July 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 12th July, Easing of lockdown in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland; financial sustainability of places of worship; COVID-19 and the Church of England; Singing;  Church Commissioners £1M support for cathedral choirs. (13 July 2020).
• Marriages and civil partnerships in Wales, Analysis of new guidance. (10 July 2020).
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020: revised post. Analysis of Regulation 5. Revised version of post first published on 200705. (7 July 2020).
• Northern Ireland: Executive statement on indoor weddings and baptisms. Resumption of baptisms and indoor marriage ceremonies from Friday, 10 July. (7 July 2020).
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020, Analysis of Regulation 5. (5 July 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 5th July, Government guidance on the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities,  Singing in churches and cathedrals, and Early medical abortion and COVID-19: an update. (5 July 2020).

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June 2020

• COVID-19: Safe use of places of worship in England from 4 July, Summary of government guidance. (29 June 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 28th June, Opening of places of worship for services, Petertide ordinations, music in churches. (28 June 2020).
• House of Bishops Statement on Government COVID-19, guidance, clarification of numbers for worship & weddings; canon law issues doctrine of necessity. (24  June 2020).
• Reopening of places of worship in England on 4 July: a clarification. Uncertainty and clarification of numbers for worship & weddings. (26 June 2020).
• Delayed marriages in England and Wales, impact of lockdown on reading of Banns and qualifying connections. (24 June 2020).
• Restricted church services in England from 4 July, relaxation on weddings and services in England. (23 June 2020).
• Breaking news: COVID-19: marriage and civil partnerships in Wales, relaxation on marriage and civil partnerships. (21 June 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 21st June, places of worship opening for private prayer in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; Marriage, visas and COVID-19. (21 June 2020).
• COVID-19: update on reopening places of worship in England. (16 June 2020).
• COVID-19: update on reopening places of worship in Wales. (16 June 2020).
• COVID-19: Personal Risk Factors for Clergy, Church Workers and Volunteers. (16 June 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 14th June, Registration of Births in England and Wales; and Premier pressures prelates on private prayer; organists’ practice. (14 June 2020).
• Guidance on supervised individual prayer, as below. Section 4 of new guidance. (12 June 2020).
• Breaking news: COVID-19: guidance for the safe use of places of worship in England, new government guidance. (12 June 2020).
• Private prayer update – yet another change. CofE response to government change of date for private prayer to 13 June. (11 June 2020).
• Outdoor weddings in Northern Ireland. Permitted in NI, subject to conditions, from 7 June. (9 June 2020).
• Law and religion round-up, 7th June. Opening of churches in England, COVID-19 and caveats, face coverings on public transport. (7 June 2020).
• COVID-19: further guidance from the Church of England. New FAQs and documents, and updated on the CofE coronavirus web pages. (6 June 2020).
• Music, musicians, and the congregation. Part II of our review Churches during relaxation of lockdown. (5 June 2020).
• COVID-19: latest guidance from the Church of England – updated: Updated guidance on schools and nurseries. (1 June 2020).

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May 2020

• Law and religion round-up – 31st May: Legal challenges to lockdown; Churches during relaxation of lockdown; Church halls and nursery provision; Relaxation of lockdown in England; Latest guidance from the Church of England; Licensing drive-in movies and church services. (31 May 2020}.
• A sage appraisal of COVID-19: Information published on 26 May on the scientific work which has been considered by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). (29 May 2020}.
• COVID-19: latest guidance from the Church of England, new section, Schools and Nurseries, update on delivery of printed communications. (28 May 2020
• New CofE guidance: fabric and building maintenance, update of post of 22 May, infra. (27 May 2020
• Evidence of environmental dispersion of COVID-19, report of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies. (26 May 2020
• Research on transmission of COVID-19, report compiled by the Environmental and Modelling Group for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies. (26 May 2020
• New technical advice papers, set of papers circulated by Oxford Diocese on technical aspects of the current restrictions affecting buildings. [Updated by post of 27 May, supra]. (22 May 2020
• Postponement of C of E General Synod elections, change to Coronavirus Act 2020 following Privy Council meeting. (21 May 2020
• Guidance on construction work in churches, new FAQ and guidance from CofE. (20 May 2020
• Taskforce on reopening places of worship, report of first meeting of task force. (15 May 2020
• Caring for places of worship during coronavirus (COVID-19), information from HRBA, see below. (15 May 2020
• Reopening of places of worship in England: breaking news, announcement of five new ministerial-led taskforces to develop plans for how and when closed sectors can reopen safely in England. (13 May 2020
• Towards opening churches in July, Statement from Church of England, new government guidance. (11 May 2020
• Access to church buildings during lockdown, Advice from Archbishops’ Council, Cathedral and Church Buildings Division, following House of Bishops’ Statement on 5 May. (7 May 2020
• Bishops back phased approach to church access, how the Church of England might proceed once the current restrictions for COVID-19 are relaxed or lifted. (5 May 2020
• Law changes for next General Synod meetings, cancellation of York Synod, amendment of GS Constitution and Standing Orders, postponement of GS elections. (5 May 2020

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April 2020

• 200430 – Church guidance: live streaming and copyright], New CofE FAQ – What is the guidance on live streaming and copyright? (30 April 2020).
• 200424 – Welsh Government: Coronavirus update. Review of Welsh Government guidance following update on 24 April. (24 April 2020).
• 200422 – Correction to errors in coronavirus Regulations. Corrections to SI 2020/350 made through SI 2020/447, effective 11:00 am. (22 April 2020).
• 200420 – Coronavirus COVID-19: Further marriage law update. Faculty Office update on church weddings; emergency weddings; and qualifying connections. (20 April 2020).
• 200419 – Law and religion round-up – 19th April. L&RUK and Coronavirus – COVID-19; Coronavirus-COVID 19: legislation and guidance; Cremations and funerals. (19 April 2020).
• 200419 – PHE guidance: managing a funeral. PHE guidance on attendance of bereaved families at funerals during the pandemic. (19 April 2020).
• 200418 – Coronavirus Act 2020 – Statutory guidance for local authorities. Guidance issued under statute on new powers for local authorities to support resilience of local death management systems and to step in if they become overwhelmed. (18 April 2020).
• 200415 – Cremation under coronavirus restrictions. Overview or legislation and regulations on cremation. (15 April 2020).
• 200412 – Law and religion round-up – 12th April. Human rights and COVID-19; Diocesan guidance on funeral ministry. (12 April 2020).
• 200403 – Church building maintenance during lockdown – Update. Update of Church of England Advice issued on 27 March q.v.. (3  April 2020).
• 200403 – Church in Wales: Covid 19 – Guidance on Vestry & PCC meetings. Statement on holding vestry and PCC meetings. (3 April 2020).
• 200403 – New PHE advice for safe funerals. Early advices issued by PHE, updated on 19 April, supra. (3 April 2020).

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March 2020

• Faculty petitions under the coronavirus restrictions. A summary of the issues involved during the various stages of the faculty process, and links to relevant authorities with regard to the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus crisis. (30 March 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 29th March. A post which, unsurprisingly, is (on word count) 86% on the coronavirus issues of law and religion, including: Coronavirus Act 2020 and Regulations, E,W,S; closure of all Church of England buildings; attendance at funerals; church building maintenance; PPC Meetings. (29 March 2020).
• Church building maintenance during lockdown. Summary of the Church of England document Securing and caring for your church buildings during the Covid-19 pandemic: advice for incumbents, churchwardens and PCC members. (28 March 2020).
• Coronavirus COVID-19: Closure of all Church of England buildings. Confirming the closure of all buildings with immediate effect, including for the use of private prayer, in an effort to help limit the transmission of coronavirus COVID-19. (24 March 2020).
• Coronavirus: Archbishops’ and Bishops’ Statement The Prime Minister’s announcement of sweeping restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the virus was echoed in the Church of England statement which said inter alia: “all Church of England churches will close with immediate effect in line with the Government’s instructions. There will also be no weddings or baptisms”. New FAQs are in preparation. (23 March 2020).
• Coronavirus COVID-19: Marriage Law Update. Legal advice published by the Faculty Office. (23 March 2020).
• ‘Virtual’ PCC meetings and other Coronavirus-related issues. Further to our post “Coronavirus – election of PCC and churchwardens”, David Lamming has written a guest post on the issues raised. (22 March 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 22nd March. Coronavirus latest news from government and churches; Live-streaming of church services; and Coronavirus and data protection. (22 March 2020).
• Coronavirus – election of PCC and churchwardens. Legislative measure that has been introduced by the Diocese of Oxford. Instrument was distributed by Church House to all Registrars in template form. Useful additional comments. (21 March 2020).
• More coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance. Links to the recently revised CofE FAQs on: live streaming; weddings; baptisms; funerals; and key workers (see below). Also advice from: Church in Ireland, Roman Catholic Church EW, Isle of Man state of emergency law, and government advice on key workers and revised procedures for DBS checks. (20 March 2020).
• Coronavirus: further guidance from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. Clarification on the meaning of “public worship”. (20 March 2020).
• Coronavirus: updated guidance on weddings and baptisms from CofE. Also link to new guidance on live streaming of services. (19 March 2020).
• Streaming church services: an (updated) guide to copyright and religion – revised with the additional advice from the RSCM on live streaming. Further updated 200323 with revised information from RSCM on CCLI streaming licence provisions. (18 March 2020).
• Churches in Northern Ireland: Coronavirus (Covid-19) guidance. (18 March 2020).
• A series of important updates on issues related to the cessation of church services was posted on 17th March
  • Church in Wales: Coronavirus (Covid-19) guidance. Pastoral Declaration of the Bench of Bishops of the Church in Wales – COVID-19. (17 March 2020).
  • Church of England: Coronavirus – cessation of church services. Links to Church of England’s Press Notice, the Archbishops’’ letter, and reference in the former to reliance on the canon law doctrine of necessity regarding the public services required by the Canons. (17 March 2020).
  • Streaming church services: an (updated) guide to copyright and religion. Guidance on copyright and religion. (17 March 2020).
  • Scottish Episcopal Church: Coronavirus – cessation of church services. Announcement from the College of Bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church. (17 March 2020).
  • Coronavirus latest: Government asks religious groups to cease meeting. On 16 March, responding to a question on “what actually constitutes a large gathering of people” in the context of religious communities—churches, mosques, gurdwaras”, the Health Secretary indicated that religious services should be suspended during the coronavirus outbreak, [Commons Hansard c724]. (17 March 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 15th March. Beards, paramedics and coronavirus; A common approach to the Common Cup in Anglican Provinces in the UK & Ireland…; Further advice from the Dioceses; Lambeth Conference and coronavirus; and A religion, law and coronavirus website. (15 March 2020).
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): more guidance from Church of England and government. Extracts from the information published on 12 March 2020 by the Church of England (at 12:50 and 15:17). (12 March 2020).
• Church of England coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for churches: updated. Church of England’s update of its coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for churches. (10 March 2020). (10 March 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 8th March. Coronavirus (COVID-19): “the KISS of Peace?”; Coronavirus (COVID-19): other information; Sacrament Act 1547 and other legislation. (8 March 2020).
• Church of England updates Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance – 5 March. Updated guidance including: withdrawal of the Common Cup; Member of congregation with COVID-19: Information for clergy. (5 March 2020).
• Church issues new Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance. New Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance, comprising an updated Guidance for churches which includes a comprehensive set of Frequently Asked Questions, and resources and information on accessing Christian services digitally for those who cannot get to church. Advice on Coronavirus (COVID-19) afforded a higher priority, featuring on Home Page. (3 March 2020).

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February 2020

• Coronavirus: contingency planning and legislation. Diocese of London Guidance note in the event of Pandemic Virus; “Much of the current advice from the Church of England is based upon the premise that there is no immediate risk or need for action, but suggests that it is as well to be prepared for what might happen”.(29 February 2020).
• Law and religion round-up – 23rd February. Legal status of national and diocesan requirements. The advice falls within the ordinary jurisdiction of the Bishop, and the exact details vary between dioceses. Those in the Peterborough Ad Clerum are amongst the most comprehensive and most prescriptive, but nevertheless contain a mix of mandatory and permissive language. “The Church of England advice was last updated on 20 February”. (23 February 2020).
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) – latest news. “Still nothing much to do with law – or at least, only marginally so – but…”, Hmm. (14 February 2020).
• Diocese of London advice on coronavirus – updated. Diocese of London Guidance note in the event of Pandemic Virus from the  Archdeacon of London, principally about the risks of infection arising from the administration of Holy Communion. (1  February 2020).

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L&RUK Updates

See also L&RUK weekly round-ups in list of the posts, supra. In view of the reduction in the amount of legislation and guidance by August 2021, from September these updated are issued on a monthly basis. New material is added to COVID-19 Coronavirus: legislation and guidance as before. 

2021

Monthly updates

• September. On-going.

Weekly updates

• 15 August to 21 August: Minor changes to legislation and guidance.
• 8 August to 14 August: Travel restrictions and changes to self-isolation.
• 1 August to 7 August: Church in Wales update for Alert Level Zero; Masks in Scotland from 9 August.
• 25 July to 31 July: CofE Q&A added “What is the Church of England’s position on ‘vaccine passports’?”; CofE Recovery Group formally concluded.
• 18 July to 24 July: New legislation and guidance for Step 4 in England.
• 11 July to 17 July. Legislation and guidance in anticipation of Step 4 (England).
• 4 July to 10 July: Anticipated changes for Step 4 (England).
• 27 June to 3 July. Weddings, travel arrangements; admission to faith schools.
• 20 June to 26 June.  Amendments to travel regulations, (England); revised regulation for person responsible for “regulated premises”, (Wales); variations on social distancing, (Scotland); Guidance for outdoor weddings in England.
• 13 June to 20 June. New legislation and guidance for changes to Step 3 in England, relaxation of singing provisions in Wales (though with some strange aspects).
• 7 June to 12 June. Includes government response to e-petition.
• 30 May to 6 June. Updates from Association of British Choral Directors  and CCCBR.
• 23 May to 29 May. Various guidance on Step 3 in England
• 16 May to 22 May. Various guidance on Step 3 in England.
• 9 May to 15 May. Various guidance on further easing of COVID restrictions confirmed for 17 May.
• 2 May to 8 May. Press Notice on relaxation of numbers in funerals in England.
• 25 April to 1 May. Relaxation of restrictions in Wales, RSCM update on singing.
• 18 April to 24 April. Changes to NI legislation, CofE guidance on APCMs.
• 11 April to 17 April. On going, including England move to “Step 2” are; COVID-19 advice for Ramadan.
• 4 April to 10 April. COVID-19 arrangements and funeral of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
• 28 March to 3 April. Updated guidance from CofE and CinW.
• 21 March to 27 March. Guidance for Holy Week and Easter.
• 14 March to 20 March. Weddings in England: “Step 2” relaxation of lockdown, Statement by UK Weddings Taskforce; places of worship and the latest Welsh Regulations; Guidance for Ramadan; extension of regulations in Wales and Scotland.
• 7 March to 13 March, Easing the lockdown in Scotland Easing the lockdown in England; Marriage law: forthcoming events; Book launch.
• 28 February to Saturday 6 March. And in Quires and Places where they sing (or not)….
• 21 February to 27 February. COVID-19: easing the lockdown in England & Scotland Reopening churches in Scotland; Review of coronavirus legislation; The EU Council, COVID-19 and human rights; An illegal religious gathering in Nottingham?
• 14 February to 20 February. COVID-19 and closure of churches in Scotland, Noli me tangere.
• 7 February to 13 February. St Valentine and COVID-19; Closure of churches in Scotland
• 31 January to 6 February 2021. Changes to NI legislation.
• 24 January to 30 January. COVID-19 legislation; Closure of churches in Scotland – déjà-vu.
• 17 January to 23 January. Closing places of worship in Scotland; Opening places of worship in Scotland; Church of England services in Lent, Holy Week and Easter: 2021; Guernsey in lockdown; General Synod Meetings 2021, House of Bishops Meeting.
• 10 January to 16 January. Safe use of places of worship; Church of England – updated guidance on COVID-19.
• 3 January to 9 January. Suspending public worship: – England; – Northern Ireland; and – Scotland. Continuing Public Worship – Wales.

2020

• 27 December to 2 January, Places of worship during lockdown.
• 20 December to 26 December, legislation and guidance from UK countries re: tier 4 restrictions.
• 13 December to 19 December, Don’t they know it’s  COVID?
• 6 December to 12 December, COVID-19 vaccines and the church; Churches as vaccination centres; COVID-19 and self-isolation, and; Christmas ringing in England.
• 29 November to 5 December, COVID-19 and judicial review; APPG Coronavirus.
• 22 November to 28 November, COVID-19 and Christmas in England…in Scotland…and Northern Ireland.
• 15 November to 21 November, COVID-19: challenging the lockdown
• 8 November to 14 November, Welsh Government guidance
• 1 November to 7 November, Reopening of places of worship in Wales; Charity Commission: updated guidance on COVID-19; Charity meetings in Wales, General Synod (Remote Meetings) Measure 2020; Church of England and Archbishops’ web, sites.
• 25 October to 31 October, announcement of England lock-down.
• 18 October to 24 October. Updated CofE for “three-tier” restrictions; Wales “circuit break” introduction.
• 11 October to 17 October. Initial comment on “three-tier” restrictions.
• 4 October to 10 October – COVID-19: increased restrictions in Ireland.
• 27 September to 3 October – 4 October to 10 October – Humanist wedding ceremonies and COVID-19; Church of Scotland: virtual General Assembly.
• 20 September to 26 September – QR codes for “NHS Test and Trace”; Virtual sittings of C of E General Synod.
• 13 September to 19 September – “Rule of Six”; COVID-19 in Ireland.
• 6 September to 12 September– New social distancing rules; Coronavirus and the Curtailment of Religious Liberty: A Global Review.
• 30 August to 5 September – Individual cups for Holy Communion; Aerosol and droplet generation.
• 23 August to 29 August – COVID-19 and: bellringing; singing; full immersion baptism; L&RUK coverage; employees targeted by COVID-19 legislation; fake COVID-19 protection kits.
• 16 August to 22 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.
• 9 August to 15 August– Church of Scotland and COVID-19; Wedding and civil partnership receptions in England; Individual cups for Holy Communion; Singing in churches; Pipe organs in Wales.
• 2 August to 8 August – Wearing face coverings from  8 August, in England and Scotland; Church of England General Synod.
• 26 July to 1 August – local lockdowns on several areas of Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire, including Blackburn and Bradford.

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