Everything About the Easing of Restrictions in Worship Services Which Includes Singing for 30 Mins

If you were to list all the things that facilitated transmission of COVID-19, you’d start to think that the coronavirus is a sentient, diabolical genius.

Why? Well, some of these things include:

• singing
• travelling
• socialising
• dancing in clubs
• talking loudly
• sharing food

As you’d agree, these are all things that we humans enjoy doing.

Fortunately, while we can’t sing at KTV outlets just yet, we’ll soon be able to do so in a religious setting.

Everything About the Easing of Restrictions in Worship Services 

Several coronavirus-related restrictions in place for worship services will be eased this month, the Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth (MCCY) announced on Wednesday (31 March).

This includes:

• permitting singing during worship
• increasing the number of people involved in conducting worship services
• increasing capacity limits for marriage solemnisation and funerals

Here are the details:

Singing During Worship Services

As for the first, congregants will be allowed to sing during worship services from 5 Apr, but only for up to a total of 30 minutes.

They must also keep their masks on at all times.

Congregants have not been allowed to sing since places of worship reopened last June.

MCCY said if places of worship are going to engage in singing, they have to maintain good ventilation.

This can be done by opening doors and windows or using air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems.

Religious organisations are also encouraged to implement a greater safe distance of 2m between groups of up to eight worshippers if they are singing

Common items such as prayer books should not be shared, as it increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

The place of worship must also be wiped down between worship services.

The number of People Involved in Conducting Mass Can Increase

Under previous regulations, up to 30 people were allowed to be involved in the conduct of the worship service, in addition to the congregation.

Of them, only five were allowed to sing and could do so without a mask.

From 5 Apr, others in the 30-person group may choose to sing as well, but unlike the five who can sing unmasked, the others in the group must keep their masks on.

There should also be at least a 3m distance between those involved in live performance elements and the worshippers.

Increased Capacity Limits for Marriage Solemnisation and Funerals

Additionally, up to 250 people will be allowed to attend marriage solemnisation in places of worship if the wedding couple goes for pre-event testing.

This new rule will come into effect from 24 Apr. Previously, only 100 attendees were permitted.

As for funerals and wakes in places of worship, 50 people will now be allowed to attend the services from 24 Apr, up from the previous limit of 30.

However, an increase in the attendance cap will only be permitted on the day of the burial or cremation.

SafeEntry Mandatory For Worship Services With More Than 100 People

As an added safety precaution, organisations conducting congregational or worship services for more than 100 people must deploy the SafeEntry Gateway at their main entrances from 19 Apr.

This won’t be required for religious organisations conducting congregational and other worship services for 100 people or fewer.

Featured Image: Sa-nguansak Supong / Shutterstock.com