To ask the Minister of Health to detail the current COVID-19 regulations on church services.

Churches are permitted to open for acts of worship, although most made a voluntary decision to close for in-person services from 7 January 2021.

If the number of attendees exceeds the current indoor gathering limits of 6 people from more than 2 households or outdoor gatherings of 10 people from more than 2 households, including at wedding and funerals, the person responsible for organising or operating the gathering must carry out a risk assessment and put in place, implement and maintain mitigating measures to reduce the risk of virus transmission.

From 24 May, subject to review by the Executive on 20 May, the numbers permitted for indoor gatherings, (not including domestic settings), will be as permitted by a risk assessment of the venue. Where the gathering is of more than 15 people, it must be an organised gathering with a risk assessment and mitigating measures.

Face coverings are mandatory within a place of worship and when entering or leaving, except for the person leading the service and the two parties to a marriage or civil partnership.

Funerals, marriages and civil partnerships have additional requirements. A person responsible for the organisation or operation of a marriage or civil partnership or the organiser or operator of the funeral or associated event must take measures to obtain visitor information either in advance or at the time of attendance. This consists of the name and telephone number of each person aged 16 years or above in attendance; the date and time of arrival; record the visitor information in a filing system; and retain visitor information for a period of 21 days beginning with the date on which the visit occurred.

The organiser or operator must destroy visitor information as soon as reasonably practicable after the 21 day period unless there is another basis on which the details may lawfully be retained. The visitor information must be provided to a relevant person as soon as reasonably practicable but in any event within 24 hours of a request, if so requested by that person.

Whether a person is attending or is responsible for organising or operating a funeral or associated event in a Church, funeral directors or elsewhere they must comply with the guidance for handling the infection risks when caring for the deceased and managing funerals issued by the Department of Health https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/covid-19-guidance-surrounding-death