MESSAGE TO ALL NSW MINISTERS, HOME MISSIONARIES, SESSION CLERKS, TREASURERS, COM SECRETARIES AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS
Dear all,
The desire to be able to return to singing together as congregations has been strongly felt by all of us throughout this COVID-19 pandemic period. Today, the NSW Premier has announced the following easing of restrictions. You will see, however, that this announcement results in each Congregation needing to make a decision:
Restrictions will be eased from Friday morning, 26 February across Greater Sydney and NSW:
- Number of performers singing indoors increased to 30 (currently 5) subject to physical distancing requirements;
- Singing by congregants allowed in places of worship if masks are worn and subject to one person per 4sqm (currently no congregant singing allowed, with one per 2sqm permitted in places of worship).
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the easing of restrictions was due to the support of the NSW community.“With the rollout of the vaccine now underway, and no new locally acquired cases in NSW, we are able to make further changes towards a new ‘COVID normal’,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I thank the community for following the health advice to keep the virus at bay. However, we cannot become complacent.”Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said today’s announcement was another step forward for NSW.“
Each time we are able to further ease restrictions it’s another shot of confidence for the NSW economy,” Mr Perrottet said.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said NSW has come a long way since the virus arrived here and we should be proud of the position we are in.
“This week NSW started rolling out the vaccine across the state and now we are further easing restrictions, which is a fantastic achievement,” Mr Hazzard said.
Dr Chant said while household gathering restrictions have been eased, people are urged to remember COVID-19 can be transmitted more easily in crowded indoor settings.
“Don’t attend these types of events if you have COVID-19 symptoms – instead get tested immediately and self-isolate. If holding these gatherings, please use outdoor settings and well ventilated spaces where available and avoid overcrowding to reduce the risk of COVID transmission,” Dr Chant said.
As churches had been hoping for a full return to congregational singing, the latest relaxing of COVID regulations comes as a disappointment.
Congregations now have a choice to either;
- Continue to observe the 2sqm rule, not wear masks but not sing as a congregation; OR
- Observe the 4sqm rule; sing as a congregation and wear masks while doing so (that is, we believe the requirement to wear masks is only necessary while singing).
The decision of either a) or b) will need to be made for each Congregation and you will need to update your COVID-19 Safety Plan to include details regarding singing based upon the decision which you make for your Congregation.
You will also see that the number of performers at the front of the Congregation has increased from five to now be up to 30 performers subject to physical distancing requirements. We assume that this will be the existing physical distancing requirements for musical performers being:
- all singers facing forward and not towards each other
- there being a space of 1.5 metres between performers
- there being a space of 5 metres between performers and other people including the conductor and the audience.
The other restrictions to be eased are:
- 50 visitors allowed in the home.
- 30 people will be allowed to dance at weddings. The current 300-person cap on wedding guests may be relaxed soon.
Please note that these changes relate only to churches in New South Wales, and our colleagues in the ACT will need to continue to refer to ACT Government Public Health directions.
Please do not hesitate to contact us in Church Offices should you have any questions or require assistance in interpreting the restrictions to your local circumstances.
Kind regards,
Jeof Falls and Andrew Campbell (Moderator NSW)