PRAYING FOR CHANGE

When will churches, mosques and synagogues reopen?

Published: 15:30, 23 Jun 2020
Updated: 8:21, 24 Jun 2020

BORIS Johnson today announced a raft of measures to end lockdown in England, including places of worship being open for prayer and services - including weddings - with a maximum of 30 people.

Religion is a fundamental part of many people's lives and sits at the heart of most communities. So what are the new rules?

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Jordanians return to church MassCredit: EPA

When will churches, mosques and synagogues reopen?

As of Saturday, July 4, places of worship will be open for prayer and services, with a maximum of 30 people.

Weddings will also be allowed to take place, with a maximum of 30 guests.

This will be subject to social distancing rules, he said.

As of Monday, June 15, religious establishments will be open for private prayer and reflection.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the difficulties people have faced with the closure of places of worship, mentioning the celebration of Eid and Easter, reports the .

Despite services being allowed, full singing services will still be banned, due to fears of spreading the virus.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has set-up a task-force with religious leaders to open places of worship as soon as it is possible Credit: Getty Images - Getty

A full list of establishments that can open from July 4 includes:

Hotels, hostels bed and breakfast accommodation, holiday apartments or homes, cottages or bungalows, campsites, caravan parks or boarding houses
Places of Worship
Libraries & Community Centres
Restaurants, Cafes and Workplace Canteens
Bars & Pubs
Cinemas
Bingo Halls
Theatres and concert halls, but no live music
Museums and galleries

Some religious leaders believe it will be hard to implement social distancing in places of worship

There will be no re-opening of places of worship until July 4 at the earliestCredit: Getty Images - Getty

How will social distancing work in places of worship?

When places of worship do re-open on July 4, they will have to do so in line with social distancing measures.

Priests may have to offer holy communion to worshippers from behind Perspex screens and should drink all the wine themselves rather than offer it to worshippers, the Church of England has said.

Places of worship have been warned to make sure that any physical alterations made to their buildings to make them safe for visitors must be reversible and must not “cause permanent harm to historic fabric or archaeology”.

An Imam from Leicester, Ibrahim Mogra, said: "I am not convinced that we can maintain social distance."