COVID-19 update
Risk Assessment following outbreak of CV19
St Michael’s church, Thorpe-le-Soken
Updated July 24th, 2021
This risk assessment is to be read together with the current advice and guidelines from the Department of Health, information issued by the Church of England at national level and the Diocesan guidelines issued locally. A parish covid risk assessment will continue to be in place and updated in line with changes to either regulations or medical advice.
Infection rates are currently increasing, as are hospitalisations and deaths. The virus continues to be a threat to groups and individuals. As the Christian, gathered community in this place we will safeguard the health and well-being of all who attend this church and endeavour to promote a sound example of Christian regard for others during a pandemic. Restricted practices will continue to be strongly encouraged unless and until they are proved to be unnecessary for the safety of all (not just the majority).
Latest guidance from the Department of Health is that from 19 July 2021 it is no longer mandatory to wear face coverings in church. However, face coverings, sanitising hands and all previous precautions are strongly recommended and encouraged.
There is no restriction on the numbers attending the Parish Mass but following the removal of mandatory regulations, we acknowledge that some members of the congregation may wish to continue social distancing. There will be a clearly marked area to the right of the main door for this purpose, where it is expected that masks will always be worn.
The principal services at Saint Michael’s church are the Sunday and Wednesday parish Mass.
There appears to be increasing evidence that the contamination of air increases where there is little or no ventilation so, prior to and during the services, the windows will be open. Also, the main (North) door will be open during services. When the colder weather arrives, this will be reassessed. This will allow a flow of air into the church building.
Entry to the church will be via the north door. The inner doors will be open to try as far as possible to avoid a bottle neck. Preventive distancing is encouraged and everyone should ensure adequate, safe, space and discretion around others.
Upon entering the church building Parishioners will be encouraged to use the hand sanitising liquid provided and also when they leave the building. Signing in will no longer be necessary.
A paper service sheet, intended to be taken away and not reused, is provided at each Sunday service. No-one other than the member of the congregation taking the sheet will have the need to touch the service sheet. The laminated Mass sheets will not be touched for at least 72 hours afterwards.
Cash offerings will continue to be collected in a receptacle near the door, rather than passing it around, and will be placed in the safe afterwards for at least 72 hours to minimize infection.
Sunday School will be suspended until such time that it is deemed appropriate to restart, but not before September. Children should be encouraged to bring along their own toys and books. Young children should be supervised by a parent/guardian and appropriate hygiene precautions followed.
Current available information suggests that singing can propel infectious droplets for a greater distance than speaking and, therefore, congregational singing may resume with caution.
The celebrant may prepare for each service himself but, if others assist in preparing the elements before or during the service, then hand hygiene and physical distancing precautions should apply. At the distribution, Holy Communion will continue to be administered in silence.
The celebrant will use soap and hot water to wash his hands prior to Mass to the current guidelines of 20 seconds. Guidance on handwashing will be placed at the sink.
The Celebrant will use sanitising liquid before the preparation of the altar at the offertory. The priest will also use sanitising liquid before distributing the Host.
The congregation must remain in their places for the Peace and should not shake hands with other members of the congregation.
The distribution of communion will continue to take place standing at the chancel steps. Members of the congregation should queue in line giving adequate distance. Only the celebrant will receive communion in both kinds and the congregation will continue to receive communion in only one kind which will placed into the hand only. After they have received the Host, members of the congregation should return to their seats via the side aisle (past the eagle) ensuring that they maintain the appropriate distancing. If during administration of communion the priest’s hand touches those of a communicant, then both should immediately use hand sanitiser.
Those members of the congregation who receive communion in their seat should be asked to sit at the end of the row. This will allow the Celebrant to administer communion without having to pass anyone in the row.
When there is a service such as a baptism with people who are not familiar with steps being taken to ensure people’s safety, the celebrant will briefly explain the arrangements for the distribution of communion.
If the priest is the only person who will touch the chalice and paten both during the service and after, then they can be cleaned in the normal way. If others may touch the chalice and/or paten, either during the service or after, then they should either be washed in warm water with liquid soap, or if this is not possible, stored safely on their own for at least 72 hours before using again.
At the end of Mass, the congregation should remain in their seats for a short period of private prayer and this will allow time for the people to leave in a prescribed order. Those shielding or vulnerable should be respected at all times and not approached nor engaged in conversation without a face covering and exercising preventive measures. The greeter will ensure the doors are open.
Sunday refreshments will continue to be suspended until further notice.
The priest will not shake hands with members of the congregation as they depart. Should any member of the congregation wish to speak to the priest at the end of the service, this could be conducted outside and away from other people to provide both social distancing and a degree of confidentiality.
The toilet will be open but worshippers should be encouraged to use the facilities at home before arriving, wherever possible. Liquid soap, paper towels, anti-bacterial wipes, hand gel and a disposal bin are available. The supply of these are monitored to ensure that they are always available. The bin should be emptied after each service. Guidance showing how to wash hands correctly is placed above the sink. The toilet area will be cleaned after each service, provided it has been used.
The statues of Our Lady remain in place. The candles will be placed individually on a table and not in a bunch, so only one candle at a time needs to be touched.
Holy water for personal devotion will not be available (yet)
Occasional Services (Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals)
For those who only attend occasional services, we will continue to need to offer guidance in providing a safe environment in which to worship.
Equality Act 2010
Under the terms of, and to comply with, the Equality Act 2010 we have put measures in place so we are able to provide equal and safe access to all.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation during the transition to a more usual form of worship following the removal of mandatory regulations. We continue with individual responsibility to reduce the risk of transmission as the virus remains active in the community. This risk assessment is continually reviewed and its sole purpose is to keep us all safe.
St Michael’s church, Thorpe-le-Soken
Updated July 24th, 2021
This risk assessment is to be read together with the current advice and guidelines from the Department of Health, information issued by the Church of England at national level and the Diocesan guidelines issued locally. A parish covid risk assessment will continue to be in place and updated in line with changes to either regulations or medical advice.
Infection rates are currently increasing, as are hospitalisations and deaths. The virus continues to be a threat to groups and individuals. As the Christian, gathered community in this place we will safeguard the health and well-being of all who attend this church and endeavour to promote a sound example of Christian regard for others during a pandemic. Restricted practices will continue to be strongly encouraged unless and until they are proved to be unnecessary for the safety of all (not just the majority).
Latest guidance from the Department of Health is that from 19 July 2021 it is no longer mandatory to wear face coverings in church. However, face coverings, sanitising hands and all previous precautions are strongly recommended and encouraged.
There is no restriction on the numbers attending the Parish Mass but following the removal of mandatory regulations, we acknowledge that some members of the congregation may wish to continue social distancing. There will be a clearly marked area to the right of the main door for this purpose, where it is expected that masks will always be worn.
The principal services at Saint Michael’s church are the Sunday and Wednesday parish Mass.
There appears to be increasing evidence that the contamination of air increases where there is little or no ventilation so, prior to and during the services, the windows will be open. Also, the main (North) door will be open during services. When the colder weather arrives, this will be reassessed. This will allow a flow of air into the church building.
Entry to the church will be via the north door. The inner doors will be open to try as far as possible to avoid a bottle neck. Preventive distancing is encouraged and everyone should ensure adequate, safe, space and discretion around others.
Upon entering the church building Parishioners will be encouraged to use the hand sanitising liquid provided and also when they leave the building. Signing in will no longer be necessary.
A paper service sheet, intended to be taken away and not reused, is provided at each Sunday service. No-one other than the member of the congregation taking the sheet will have the need to touch the service sheet. The laminated Mass sheets will not be touched for at least 72 hours afterwards.
Cash offerings will continue to be collected in a receptacle near the door, rather than passing it around, and will be placed in the safe afterwards for at least 72 hours to minimize infection.
Sunday School will be suspended until such time that it is deemed appropriate to restart, but not before September. Children should be encouraged to bring along their own toys and books. Young children should be supervised by a parent/guardian and appropriate hygiene precautions followed.
Current available information suggests that singing can propel infectious droplets for a greater distance than speaking and, therefore, congregational singing may resume with caution.
The celebrant may prepare for each service himself but, if others assist in preparing the elements before or during the service, then hand hygiene and physical distancing precautions should apply. At the distribution, Holy Communion will continue to be administered in silence.
The celebrant will use soap and hot water to wash his hands prior to Mass to the current guidelines of 20 seconds. Guidance on handwashing will be placed at the sink.
The Celebrant will use sanitising liquid before the preparation of the altar at the offertory. The priest will also use sanitising liquid before distributing the Host.
The congregation must remain in their places for the Peace and should not shake hands with other members of the congregation.
The distribution of communion will continue to take place standing at the chancel steps. Members of the congregation should queue in line giving adequate distance. Only the celebrant will receive communion in both kinds and the congregation will continue to receive communion in only one kind which will placed into the hand only. After they have received the Host, members of the congregation should return to their seats via the side aisle (past the eagle) ensuring that they maintain the appropriate distancing. If during administration of communion the priest’s hand touches those of a communicant, then both should immediately use hand sanitiser.
Those members of the congregation who receive communion in their seat should be asked to sit at the end of the row. This will allow the Celebrant to administer communion without having to pass anyone in the row.
When there is a service such as a baptism with people who are not familiar with steps being taken to ensure people’s safety, the celebrant will briefly explain the arrangements for the distribution of communion.
If the priest is the only person who will touch the chalice and paten both during the service and after, then they can be cleaned in the normal way. If others may touch the chalice and/or paten, either during the service or after, then they should either be washed in warm water with liquid soap, or if this is not possible, stored safely on their own for at least 72 hours before using again.
At the end of Mass, the congregation should remain in their seats for a short period of private prayer and this will allow time for the people to leave in a prescribed order. Those shielding or vulnerable should be respected at all times and not approached nor engaged in conversation without a face covering and exercising preventive measures. The greeter will ensure the doors are open.
Sunday refreshments will continue to be suspended until further notice.
The priest will not shake hands with members of the congregation as they depart. Should any member of the congregation wish to speak to the priest at the end of the service, this could be conducted outside and away from other people to provide both social distancing and a degree of confidentiality.
The toilet will be open but worshippers should be encouraged to use the facilities at home before arriving, wherever possible. Liquid soap, paper towels, anti-bacterial wipes, hand gel and a disposal bin are available. The supply of these are monitored to ensure that they are always available. The bin should be emptied after each service. Guidance showing how to wash hands correctly is placed above the sink. The toilet area will be cleaned after each service, provided it has been used.
The statues of Our Lady remain in place. The candles will be placed individually on a table and not in a bunch, so only one candle at a time needs to be touched.
Holy water for personal devotion will not be available (yet)
Occasional Services (Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals)
For those who only attend occasional services, we will continue to need to offer guidance in providing a safe environment in which to worship.
Equality Act 2010
Under the terms of, and to comply with, the Equality Act 2010 we have put measures in place so we are able to provide equal and safe access to all.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation during the transition to a more usual form of worship following the removal of mandatory regulations. We continue with individual responsibility to reduce the risk of transmission as the virus remains active in the community. This risk assessment is continually reviewed and its sole purpose is to keep us all safe.
