This post includes a rolling update of new legislation and guidance on coronavirus COVID-19 during the week commencing 18 April 2020*.
Sunday 18 April to Saturday 24 April 2021
Legislation
England
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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).
Northern Ireland
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The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021, SR 2021/109. These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 202, and make a number changes from April 23 2021: Close contact services including driving instruction and hairdressing; Outdoor visitor attractions including outdoor activity centres; Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning; Outdoor sport organised by a club; Static band practice or rehearsal is permitted outdoors. Other changes from 30 April 2021.
Guidance/Analysis
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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).
Church of England‡
Last updated: Monday 19 April, 15:27§
Updated FAQs:
- Is there any guidance concerning our APCM meeting? in the Finance and governance section.
“The legislation for Step 2 of coming out of lockdown does not permit physical meeting in churches or other buildings other than for communal worship or the provision of essential voluntary and public services. These restrictions mean currently if you can, you should hold PCC or APCM meetings online or by telephone. However, if you cannot do this, you can hold these meetings in person only if this is necessary to provide voluntary or charitable services.
The 4 Step plan from the Government indicates that physical meetings can go ahead from Step 3. The earliest date for Step 3 to come into effect is the 17th May, but this could be later depending on the situation at the time.
The Church Representation Rules allow for APCM meetings to take place up to 31st May and individual dioceses may choose to extend that deadline. If a parish holds a meeting before Step 3 is reached it should do so remotely – in the case of an annual meeting that requires special provision to be made by the Bishop. Some Bishops may give a general permission for APCMs including meetings of parishioners to take place online. If you are unsure about the deadline for holding your APCM or what special provision to meet remotely has been made in your diocese then please consult with your Archdeacon.
For a physical APCM meeting, as for a hybrid or online meeting, Sections M5-M7 of the Church Representation Rules must be covered but trying to reduce the length of the meeting is advised. Widely sharing papers in advance of meetings will enable the time spent to be kept as short as is needed, rather than reading papers out at the meeting, and submitting questions in advance may also help reduce the meeting time.”
Church in Wales
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Coronavirus (Covid-19) guidance: Update: 21 April 2021: Moving from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3. A Practical Advice Update; Vaccination; Opening Churches for worship. (21 April 2021).
Imams on line
- Can you take the vaccine whilst fasting in Ramadan? The COVID-19 vaccine CAN be taken in the month of Ramadan whilst fasting. Imam @QariAsim goes through some of the questions around taking the #COVID19 vaccine whilst fasting during the month of #Ramadan
Law and Religion UK
- 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”.
RSCM
CCCBR
Summary of implications of England road map vis-à-vis bellringing.
Post last updated, 25April 2021 at 09:17.
* Information on COVID-19 on L&RUK
These updates are published at the start of each week; they are not reissued, but new items are added throughout the week as they become available, providing a “rolling update” of the latest developments during the current week. They are also added to COVID-19 Coronavirus: legislation and guidance which is the main source of information, and listed with the newest items last (unlike the CofE documents, infra); items in the weekly updates yet to be added are marked “§“. The updates for the earlier weeks are here.
Church of England documents are listed under their full title and issue number, in the same order as they appear on the Church’s web site.