Church capacity to increase to 50% as Covid-19 restrictions eased

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced that places of worship in the Republic can increase capacity to 50% from September 6, but that mask-wearing will continue to be the norm – at least for now.

Social distancing will also remain in force in churches for at least six weeks.

The increased capacity is expected to allow ceremonies such as First Holy Communion and Confirmation to proceed where parishes have not already done so. However, hundreds of parishes in several dioceses in the Republic have been carrying out these rites of initiation since early August while north of the border the ceremonies were completed during the summer.

Mr Martin also announced that it was the Government plan that all restrictions would be lifted on places of worship from October 22 if the coronavirus remains under control.

Speaking at Government Buildings this evening (Tuesday) the Taoiseach told citizens: “The evidence is clear and incontrovertible – your effort and your sacrifice has saved lives”.

He said that “as of this morning, close to 90% of all citizens over the age of 18 have been fully vaccinated, and the rate of uptake in our citizens under the age of 18 is hugely encouraging also”.

The Government plan Reframing the Challenge said that the September 6 increase in capacity in churches and other religious venues is “subject to appropriate protective measures including social distancing between groups, face masks etc.”

These restrictions are expected to be lifted when churches can return to full capacity on October 22.

The Taoiseach said he was conscious that while looking to the future, “it will be a time of reflection, and sadness. For while we have come to this point in the pandemic with fewer deaths than many other countries, we have still paid a terrible price.

“The pain of each death was compounded by the absence of the ancient traditions and rituals that we do so well as a people. We did our best and found ways to safely comfort our bereaved. The image of communities lining the routes of funerals is one that will stay with me forever.

“I know the grief is deep and it will take a long time for us to come to terms with what has happened. As a country we will find the right way to memorialise those who we have lost to this terrible virus, and we look forward to engaging with all of you, the Irish public, in this endeavour,” he pledged.