Exemption under Public Health Orders – Places of Worship – Singing – an Update

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MESSAGE TO NSW MINISTERS, HOME MISSIONARIES, SESSION CLERKS, TREASURERS, COM SECRETARIES AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS

FURTHER TO OUR HOT OFF THE PRESS EMAIL A FEW MINUTES

Dear all,

It has come to our attention that the Exemption is a little confusing.

To confirm, we believe the exemption means:

  1. While Greater Sydney is in lockdown and churches are not able to meet, the exemption relates to those one or two singers involved in livestreaming, in which case they do not need to wear a mask as they are not singing in front of an audience.
  2. In regional churches, where churches are still able to meet, singers are allowed, but they are required to wear a mask.

Hope that makes sense.

Grace and peace,

Jeof Falls and Andrew Campbell (Moderator NSW)

Dear Multicultural NSW Religious Communities Forum members,

Following feedback received from members, the Minister for Health has approved an exemption under the Public Health Orders relating to singing and chanting in places of worship.

Please find the exemption instrument attached. It can also be found here.  

The exemption means that:

In Greater Sydney:

  • Two singers are permitted to sing or chant at a place of public worship.
  • These singers must be in a room or designated area of the place of public worship.
  • There can only be two other persons (eg. musician or camera operator) in the room or designated area with the two singers while they are singing.
  • While they are singing, the two singers must be 3 metres away from anyone else at the place of public worship.
  • These singers are not required to wear a face mask while they are singing or chanting only, but must at all other times while they are at the place of public worship.

Places of worship outside of Greater Sydney:

  • The following people are permitted to sing or chant while at a place of public worship:
    • An individual who is integral to the conduct of the religious service, or
    • A group of up to 5 singers at one time during a single service.  
  • These people must wear a mask while singing and while at the place of public worship.
  • They must maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres from each other and at least 3 metres from the congregation.

Please note that all other requirements of the Public Health (COVID-19 Temporary Movement and Gathering Restrictions) Order 2021 continue to apply, and places of public worship in Greater Sydney must still be closed to members of the public except for:

  • a funeral or memorial service, or a gathering following a funeral or memorial service, at which there are no more than 100 persons, including the person conducting the service, or
  • providing educational services or childcare.

Thank you for your feedback and for your ongoing commitment to keeping our community safe at this critical time.