Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has loosened restrictions on outdoor religious gatherings offering British Columbians a spiritual outlet even as new COVID-19 cases continue their “slow and steady” increase.
On Tuesday, B.C.’s top doctor released an amendment to her Gatherings and Events order to allow outdoor worship services, albeit with a number of caveats.
Here’s what you need to know.
WHAT’S ALLOWED?
The new order allows up to 50 people to attend an outdoor religious service. Two more people are allowed on hand to ensure worshipper are following public health rules.
In the case of drive-in worship events, services are limited to 50 vehicles and everyone must stay in their car.
Singers and bands of up to five musicians are allowed to perform, as well.
WHAT SAFETY MEASURES MUST I FOLLOW?
Everyone attending an outdoor religious service is required to complete a health check before arriving.
Once on-site, attendees must maintain two metres apart from one another unless they are from the same household. Participants may, however, stand 1.2 metres apart for up to ten minutes for ritual congregational prayers, according to the amended order.
Everyone is also required to wear a mask, unless they can’t wear one because of a medical condition or impairment or are under 12-years-old.
The mask rule doesn’t apply when temporarily identifying someone, communicating with someone who is hearing impaired or when eating or drinking, provided that they are consumed “during and for the purpose of worship.” Such food and drink must be provided in single-use containers.
Exceptions to wearing a mask can also be made for:
- soloists, when singing;
- worship leaders when speaking, singing or chanting;
- readers when reading out loud;
- and musicians who need to remove a mask in order to play an instrument.
Anyone not required to wear a mask must maintain three metres of spacing or use a physical barrier to block the spread of droplets, according to Henry's order.
Further, only soloists and worship leaders can sing and chant.
WHAT EXTRA MEASURES TO ORGANIZERS NEED TO TAKE?
Anyone organizing a religious service outside must also supply hand sanitizer and collect contact information to help with possible contact tracing.
Organizers should collect the first and last names of everyone in attendance, as well as their telephone numbers or email addresses. Keep the information for 30 days, and when the time is up, destroy it, says the new order.
Organizers must also warn worshipers from attending who are at a higher risk of serious health outcomes if they become sick with COVID-19. These include seniors and people with underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems.
Once an outdoor worship service is over, “participants must disperse immediately” and are not permitted to gather or socially engage with other worshippers before, during or after the service.
WHAT ABOUT OUTDOOR GATHERINGS FOR THE REST OF US?
Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people are still allowed for all British Columbians. However, the office of the Provincial Health Officer warns any gatherers to “stick to the same people.”
Outdoors means you can gather at a park or beach, or in someone’s backyard or outdoor patio.
Anyone gathering outside is asked to maintain physical distancing and wear masks if possible.
CAN I HAVE A DINNER PARTY YET?
No, you can’t. Public health orders still ban any social gatherings inside your residence with anyone outside of your household. Single people are limited to indoor gatherings with their “core bubble” — either everyone in your shared household, or for people who live alone, “a maximum of two people you see regularly.”
The office of the Provincial Health Officer warns British Columbians to “not invite friends or extended family into your residence or vacation accommodation” and “to not host a party or event inside your house.”
WHAT ABOUT MEETING AT A RESTAURANT OR BAR?
While you can now gather outside with up to 10 people, you cannot do so in the outdoor areas of restaurants, pubs and bars. These businesses can only seat groups of up to six people from the same household, so don’t ask for a table for 10.
