50 people added to 50-car limit at outdoor religious services

Just days before the start of Holy Week, the B.C. government eased some restrictions on public worship to allow more people to attend outdoor religious gatherings.

In a written statement Tuesday, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix said the government will now permit 50 people, as well as people in 50 vehicles, to take part in outdoor worship services. 

The previous restrictions limited outdoor religious services to 50 cars.

The five-page variance to the public health order ban on gatherings and events includes a lengthy list of rules for attendees including pre-registering, wearing face coverings, and complying with a health check. 

Attendees must also remain two metres from members of other households and are not permitted to sing, socialize with others, or leave vehicles.

The health order allows an additional two people at a service for the purpose of ensuring rules are followed and says organizers “must caution” the following higher-risk individuals about attending: those 70 and up, as well as anyone who is living with someone infected with COVID, who has an upper respiratory or flu-like symptoms, or who has an underlying medical condition or a compromised immune system.

The order says worship services include funerals but not weddings or baptisms. 

Due to ongoing changes in government restrictions on churches and worship, The B.C. Catholic invites readers to sign up for news alerts through Flocknote.

The government’s order, which replaces previous variances for religious communities, can be found at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/asses/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/covid-19-variance-outdoor-worship.pdf.