B.C. church restrictions, capacity limits removed starting July 1

Story is developing and will be updated. Last update June 30.

For many places of worship in B.C., it is welcome news.

As of July 1, all churches and other places that hold religious services can operate without COVID-19 capacity limits or restrictions.

“I am absolutely delighted that Dr. Henry has lifted all restrictions on religious gatherings and worship services,” said Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, in response to the news.

He said this means Catholic churches in the Archdiocese of Vancouver can open on the first of the month with no limits to attendance, no registration, and no social distancing. 

As of July 1, weddings, funerals and baptisms can take place in a Catholic church with no limitations for attendance.

The Archdiocese of Vancouver sent instructions to parishes advising that congregational singing and choirs are welcome back, as are hymnals, bulletins, and other items that were removed from pews last year.

Confessionals can be used again, holy water fonts can be refilled, and the Sign of Peace is back, though because of the individual circumstances of each parish it is up to each pastor to determine the best way to do so.

The obligation to attend Sunday Mass will come into effect again July 10; further details, including who may be exempt, are coming next week. 

Parishes are being encouraged, but not directed, to stop or limit livestream Masses after the Sunday obligation returns.

Churches are to follow provincial health guidelines regarding masks (as of July 1, they are recommended, not mandatory) and open their doors to anyone regardless of vaccination status. Washrooms can be re-opened and, for anyone hoping for coffee or other non-liturgical gatherings outside Mass, the province’s health orders regarding indoor or outdoor events apply. Restrictions on indoor gatherings (religious services excluded) will limit capacity to 50 people or 50 per cent of capacity, whichever is greater.

What is not changing is the distribution of Communion. Those who wish to receive Communion on the tongue will wait until all others have received Communion or receive it from a designated minister of holy Communion.

More details on how churches in the Archdiocese of Vancouver can proceed will be available at www.rcav.org.

B.C. health officer Bonnie Henry announced June 29 that the province’s restart plan is moving to Step 3 on July 1. The provincial state of emergency will be lifted and other restrictions will be lifted including all limits on personal gatherings and a move to make masks recommended, but not mandatory, in public indoor spaces.

Outdoor gatherings can be open to up to 5,000 people or 50 per cent of capacity, also whichever is greater.

“It is indeed a great announcement today that we are ready to bring us back together,” said Henry, adding that the province is making the moves due to high and rising vaccination rates and declining hospitalizations and deaths.

Currently 78 per cent of British Columbians over age 18 have had a first dose of a COVID vaccine; over 30 per cent have had second doses.

More information on Step 3 can be found here.