Park Street Church in Boston. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker is authorizing churches to have public services again, but only at 40 percent capacity of the buildings.
Church-goers would be required to wear masks and sit at least 6 feet apart if they aren’t family members.
Church are required to clean and disinfect the building after services, according to the guidelines. Social gatherings before or after church services, such as coffee and doughnuts, are banned.
If someone attending a church service tests positive for coronavirus the church is supposed to notify the local board of health.
The new guidelines to be announced later today also attempt to influence how church services are carried out.
“Places of worship are encouraged to modify communal rituals, like taking communion or passing of the peace, so as to limit contact with others. Consider distributing, where applicable, prepackaged communion or sacraments,” the governor’s new guidelines state, according to the web site of the Massachusetts Municipal Association.
Governor Baker is expected to discuss the details of reopening at a press conference later on Monday, May 18.
Churches have not been authorized to hold services for more than 10 people since the governor issued an executive order March 23 limiting gatherings to 10, including what the order calls “faith-based” events.
The Boston Globe first reported the new reopening details Sunday night, citing an email message sent to town administrators by the Massachusetts Municipal Association, which obtained the information from the Baker administration.
Churches have not been authorized to hold services for more than 10 people since the governor issued an executive order March 23 limiting gatherings to 10, including what the order calls “faith-based” events.
The governor’s executive order is being challenged in federal court by a Baptist pastor in Worcester. That lawsuit is pending.
Park Street Church in Boston. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia. 
