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<p>It is essential that when church buildings reopen for public worship or private
prayer by members of the public, that it is done safely. In the meantime, churches
across the country are holding virtual services and offering support to the vulnerable
and elderly. Where they are unable to do this locally national resources are available
such as the national church service on a Sunday and the Daily Hope phone line.</p><p>
</p><p>The Church is adapting and rising to the challenge of supporting their community
physically and spiritually during this medical emergency. The Church is regularly
reviewing the medical advice and is in regular conversation with the Government. What
is needed is a wide range of detailed protocols and practices to be established to
ensure that church buildings and services do not represent risks for renewed transmission
of the virus.</p><p> </p><p>The Church of England is currently preparing for the reopening
of church buildings, but it must be recognised that not all churches and clergy may
be able to satisfy all the necessary criteria, especially in the early stages of the
recovery phase. This has been the experience in other jurisdictions such as Germany
where the Government has advised that churches can be reopened for public worship.</p>
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