{"id":28939,"date":"2020-04-03T16:27:14","date_gmt":"2020-04-03T20:27:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/?p=28939"},"modified":"2020-06-29T09:27:19","modified_gmt":"2020-06-29T13:27:19","slug":"covid-19-churches-gathering-limits-virtual-worship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/04\/03\/covid-19-churches-gathering-limits-virtual-worship\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19: Churches, Gathering Limits & Virtual Worship"},"content":{"rendered":"
This entry is part 15 of 45 in the series COVID-19<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The combination of closing \u201cnon-essential workplaces\u201d and limiting how many people can gather for a service has left some churches wondering if church facilities can be used for virtual worship purposes during this time of self-isolation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Ontario, CCCC has confirmed that yes, places of worship can broadcasting service while observing social distancing directives and maintaining a limit of 5 persons<\/a>. Subject to a church falling into a listed \u201cessential workplace<\/a>,\u201d the place of worship is to be closed to the general public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ontario is one of the more restrictive jurisdictions, but even where there is greater flexibility, there are caveats and recommendations to be aware of. Not only are provinces taking different approaches, the restrictions are constantly changing, so please note that while this post is current to date, it is recommended that you double check your most recent provincial guidance to ensure compliance. It is also recommended that you check for any additional municipal restrictions and related enforcement mechanisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast to Ontario, British Columbia allows for mass gatherings up to 50 persons<\/a> but churches are advised to connect virtually whenever possible, and to use smaller groups of 5 to 10 with social distancing measures in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Alberta, gatherings with no more than 15 people are allowed<\/a>, including worship services; however, where attendees participate in \u201cactivities that promote disease transmission (e.g. singing, cheering, close contact, sharing food or beverages, buffet-style meals)\u201d those gatherings should be cancelled. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Manitoba, assemblies of more than 10 persons<\/a> are prohibited, including places of worship and social gatherings. The limit itself is not new, but it has been incorporated as part of a new order, issued March 31, effective 12:01 am on April 1, 2020 to 12:01 am to April 14, 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saskatchewan restricts public and private gatherings to a maximum of 10 people<\/a> in one room; exceptions are permitted where 2m distancing can be maintained (i.e. meetings with people distributed into multiple rooms).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Brunswick limits gatherings to 10<\/a> and has a list of recommended precautions such as avoiding shaking hands, practicing proper hygiene, eliminating buffet-style eating, and utilizing social distancing. A limit of 10<\/a> also applies to gatherings in the Yukon and in Newfoundland and Labrador<\/a>. In Newfoundland, the order specifies that the gathering limit applies to funerals, visitations and weddings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Nova Scotia, the most recent order<\/a> limits all social gatherings to 5 persons or less, but has a few exceptions. Where a not-for-profit is able to maintain social distancing of 2m it can carry on business, subject to any other specific closures or limitations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Edward Island\u2019s website notes<\/a> that \u201cnon-essential government services and non-essential business will remain closed indefinitely,\u201d subject to their ability to serve the public by means of phone, virtual services, delivery or pick up. To facilitate such service<\/a>, social distancing is to be maintained, hygiene protocols observed, and workers who must self-isolate should be excluded from the workplace.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Northwest Territories<\/a>, Nunavut<\/a>, and Quebec<\/a> (very few exceptions) all public gatherings are prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With these last few exceptions, then, it would seem that churches across Canada are still able to engage in \u201cvirtual ministry,\u201d albeit in some cases with fewer than usual persons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charity leaders are invited to share how they are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic within their organization in our online community forum,<\/span> <\/em><\/a>The Green: COVID-19 Response Room<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Posted April 3, 2020 @ 4:30pm<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This entry is part 15 of 45 in the series COVID-19<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The combination of closing \u201cnon-essential workplaces\u201d and limiting how many people can gather for a service has left some churches wondering if church facilities can be used for virtual worship purposes during this time of self-isolation. In Ontario, CCCC has confirmed that yes, places of worship can broadcasting service while… More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ts_fic_featured_image_caption":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[137],"tags":[11,435,429],"series":[440],"class_list":["post-28939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-church","tag-covid-19","tag-regulation","series-covid-19"],"yoast_head":"\nCOVID-19: Churches, Gathering Limits & Virtual Worship - CCCC Blogs<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/04\/03\/covid-19-churches-gathering-limits-virtual-worship\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"COVID-19: Churches, Gathering Limits & Virtual Worship - CCCC Blogs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The combination of closing \u201cnon-essential workplaces\u201d and limiting how many people can gather for a service has left some churches wondering if church facilities can be used for virtual worship purposes during this time of self-isolation. 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As governments\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "COVID-19"","block_context":{"text":"COVID-19","link":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/category\/covid-19\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/P1070571-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/P1070571-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/P1070571-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/P1070571-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28837,"url":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/03\/25\/covid-19-cccc-advocates-for-churches-in-ontario\/","url_meta":{"origin":28939,"position":1},"title":"COVID-19: CCCC Advocates for Churches","author":"Deina Warren","date":"March 25, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"To join click here The Ontario government has ordered the closure of non-essential workplaces, leaving many churches wondering how they can continue engaging in core ministry activities. Barry W. Bussey, Director of Legal Affairs at CCCC, has written to all Ontario government MPPs expressing concerns churches have over access to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Church\"","block_context":{"text":"Church","link":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/tag\/church\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/20200324-covid-19-FINAL-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/20200324-covid-19-FINAL-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/20200324-covid-19-FINAL-3.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/20200324-covid-19-FINAL-3.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28852,"url":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/03\/26\/covid-19-cccc-advocates-for-churches-update\/","url_meta":{"origin":28939,"position":2},"title":"COVID-19: CCCC Advocates for Churches – UPDATE","author":"Deina Warren","date":"March 26, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"To join click here. An Ontario MPP has provided CCCC with a statement from the Premier's Office in response to our questions. Further, all organized public events of over fifty people are also prohibited, including parades and events and communal services within places of worship. These orders were approved by\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "COVID-19"","block_context":{"text":"COVID-19","link":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/category\/covid-19\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/20200324-covid-19-FINAL-6.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/20200324-covid-19-FINAL-6.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/20200324-covid-19-FINAL-6.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/20200324-covid-19-FINAL-6.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28822,"url":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/03\/28\/covid-19-ontario-limits-gatherings-to-five-people\/","url_meta":{"origin":28939,"position":3},"title":"COVID-19: Ontario Limits Gatherings to FIVE people","author":"Deina Warren","date":"March 28, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"To join click here. On March 28, 2020 at 7pm, the Ontario government issued a new Order in Council prohibiting organized public events or social gatherings of more than 5 people. The Order specifically prohibits a gathering of more than five people for the purposes of conducting religious services, rites\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Church\"","block_context":{"text":"Church","link":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/tag\/church\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/20200324-covid-19-FINAL-9.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/20200324-covid-19-FINAL-9.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/20200324-covid-19-FINAL-9.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/20200324-covid-19-FINAL-9.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31541,"url":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2021\/03\/30\/whats-going-on-in-bc-churches-closures-covid-19\/","url_meta":{"origin":28939,"position":4},"title":"What\u2019s Going on in BC? Churches, Closures & COVID-19","author":"Deina Warren","date":"March 30, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Churches in BC have been shut down since November 2020 and the current measures are indefinite. Last week two variance orders were issued, one allowing for indoor worship and one for outdoor. But already the variance allowing indoor worship services has been suspended. In a March 29 news release, Dr.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "COVID-19"","block_context":{"text":"COVID-19","link":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/category\/covid-19\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/20210330-Doors.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/20210330-Doors.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/20210330-Doors.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":29317,"url":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/06\/25\/ontario-churches-re-opening-guidance\/","url_meta":{"origin":28939,"position":5},"title":"Ontario Churches & Re-Opening Guidance","author":"Deina Warren","date":"June 25, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Effective Friday June 12, 2020\u00a0all places of worship in Ontario could open at 30% capacity. Initially, the only guidance available was from Workplace Safety and Prevention Services:\u00a0Guidance on Health & Safety for Places of Worship. You can also find this document on the\u00a0Ontario listing of Sector-Specific Guidance\u00a0page; scroll to the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "COVID-19"","block_context":{"text":"COVID-19","link":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/category\/covid-19\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p30X8p-7wL","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28939","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28939"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28939\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28939"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28939"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28939"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=28939"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}