The Archdiocese has updated all clergy on the following:

• With immediate effect parishes may dispense with the taking of contact details of people attending Mass for the purposes of Test and Protect. This has been a voluntary practice for some months.
• Wearing a face covering in church is still a legal requirement (unless an exemption applies).
• If a situation arises where someone contracts Covid and the parish priest is made aware of it, it will be for the priest to decide if he wants to take further action, such as, encouraging those in attendance at the Mass or service in question to take a lateral flow test. If the priest does decide to make an announcement, he should be careful not to reference the name of the individual concerned or identify them in any way.
• Further advice on such things as: use of holy water stoups, enclosed confessionals and other matters is being sought and updates will follow.

We've also made parishes aware of the Distance Aware initiative, which distributes lanyards and badges via libraries, Asda stores and online.

The lanyards and badges serve as an encouragement to others to keep a reasonable distance from those wearing them. Those with concerns about their health and wellbeing may wish to obtain one. Please see https://www.gov.scot/news/distance-aware/