Ahead of the expected phased opening of our churches later this month, Mgr Allan Chambers has shared the basics of what we can expect upon returning to church for private prayer.

In the below video, he takes us round his church, St Mary's Bathgate, to show his parish preparations, which will be similar in churches across Scotland. It comes following the issuing of online guidelines from the Bishops' Conference of Scotland (BCOS).

Please note, this video is not meant to be a comprehensive guide, but a basic introduction to the practicalities of returning to church. It is based on the document Guidance on preparing for the re-opening of Churches, which was prepared by the Working Group on COVID-19 Infection Control. 

Mgr Chambers, a Vicar General for the Archdiocese, said: "Your priest will decide what works best for his church, within the guidelines. Please support him practically and with your prayer. If you have worries or questions about reopening, please contact him. He can get in touch with the designated co-ordinator for reopening in the diocese if further assistance is required."

Keep an eye on our coronavirus updates page and social media channels (Facebook and Twitter) for updates and information. The parish posters that feature in the video have been sent to all priests in our diocese.

Clarity on face masks
Wearing a face mask while in church is current church guidance. It is under ongoing review and changes will be considered in the weeks ahead. Face masks will not be available in all churches, so bring your own. Coverings other than masks are suitable (eg scarf). It is recommended that those unable to wear a face mask (including young children) should not attend church at this time. The recommendations come with agreement of scientific experts from the Scottish Government and were developed by BCOS, given the evidence for routes of transmission and the length of time of exposure indoors.