The Dominican Episcopal Conference (CED) announced on Tuesday, 26 May 2020 that the Catholic Churches are ready to open for mass and other holy events as of Wednesday, 3 June 2020. The churches say they will be implementing a four-phase gradual reopening.
The church says they are reopening complying with Covid-19 health guidelines. This means the use of masks is mandatory, keeping a distance of two meters between pews and people, except by members living in the same house. The churches have markers on the floor to guide people to where they need to be seated. The church is carrying out the disinfection of the pews, chairs, liturgical objects and microphones in use at the end of each celebration.
From 3 to 17 June, churchgoers will be allowed in the temples for mass and adoration of the blessed sacrament. Attendance is limited to 30% of the capacity of the churches.
From 18 June to 4 July, ordinary and group pastoral services will be restored, limiting attendance to 50% of the maximum capacity.
As of the fourth phase, which begins on 5 July, it is hoped to return to ordinary pastoral life at 100% of capacity.
Regarding the celebration of the Eucharist, they pointed out that the priest or minister will give communion in his hands without saying anything, the faithful will only be able to remove their masks to receive communion, and in the greeting of peace, all direct contact will be avoided.
Nevertheless, the bishops recommended that the elderly, the sick and those with unsafe health conditions to stay at home and tune into the transmission of mass online. They encourage that baptism, first communion, confirmation and marriage ceremonies be postponed. Likewise, until further notice, no tourist visits are being allowed in Catholic temples.
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Episcopado Dominicano
N Digital
Listin Diario
27 May 2020