In-person worship now allowed on Sundays, limit increased to 50 people

The government has amended an order under the Disaster Risk Management Act to facilitate in-person worship at churches on Saturdays and Sundays.

Previously, a maximum of 20 people could attend worship services on Saturdays.

But on Sundays, which have been designated no movement days, only technical staff and clergy of no more than 20 could attend to stream their services.

Now, the order has been amended so that for both Saturday and Sunday worship, 20 people including clergy and support personnel may attend.

Where more than 20 persons can be accommodated while maintaining the physical distancing requirement of a minimum six feet between persons, up to 50 persons may be allowed.

The new limit will also now apply to weddings.

However, the maximum number of people allowed at funerals remains at 20, irrespective of the size of the place of worship.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said Sundays remain no movement days.

For the purposes of worship, churchgoers are allowed to move between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The gazetted authorisation form should be issued by the place of worship to permit up to 50 persons including clergy and support personnel to travel to and from church on Sundays.

The OPM says authorised persons must have the form available for inspection by the security forces while travelling on Sundays.

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