Washington D.C., May 24, 2021 / 18:30 pm
Dioceses in the state of New York updated their COVID-19 guidelines last week, following the recent shift in federal pandemic safety recommendations.
The Archdiocese of New York will once again be using collection baskets, physical bulletins, and hymnals in churches, the Gothamist reported over the weekend. Vaccinated parishioners may participate in choirs and in altar serving, and unvaccinated parishioners will be seated in separate sections in the church.
In a May 21 press release, the Diocese of Brooklyn announced that churches in Brooklyn and Queens would open to 100% capacity beginning on the weekend of May 22-23. The lift on capacity restrictions would eliminate the need for roping off pews, the diocese said.
Social distancing and masks are still required for parishioners who are unvaccinated, the diocese said, while still encouraging everyone to wear masks inside churches.