St. Paul’s will be be open for public worship on Sundays from Sunday 5th July. Strict hygiene and social distancing rules (based on 2 metres) are in place.

The Bishop of Chester has emphasised that the government’s lifting of lockdown restrictions for churches is permissive rather than prescriptive and that there should be no pressure on anyone to attend worship, nor indeed on churches themselves to open if they do not have the capacity to do so safely. We have taken the view that procedures can be in place in time for us to open safely. This will be under constant review and we will not hesitate to adjust to any new situation or threat to safety.

The salient points of the opening plan are as follows:

  • Maximum capacity is 38
  • Entrance is via the main door and NOT via the Parish Centre (key holders please note)
  • The door will open at 10.15 am. Please do not arrive any earlier than this
  • Everyone must use the hand sanitiser provided on entry and exit
  • Households (including ‘bubbles’) must sit together but you must otherwise sit separately as directed by a warden
  • Do not gather in the central aisle but go directly to the pew to which you are assigned on entry
  • If you are asked to go to the north or south aisle, use the side door to enter the church rather than the central door
  • Service sheets are provided. After the service these must be taken away for disposal at home or placed in the bins available in the porch
  • An offertory plate will be available before and after the service for donations. Online donations can now be made
  • Face coverings are now mandatory unless you are exempt under the government’s legislation. The priest will wear a mask when distributing the Eucharist
  • Communion will be in one kind only
  • Distribution will be at the front of the chancel steps
  • Leave straightaway at the end of the service, maintaining 2m distance
  • If you have coronavirus symptoms YOU MUST NOT ATTEND
See here for full Risk Assessment